VALLEY PEOPLE

* Charles W. Hull has rejoined 3D Systems Corp. of Valencia, the company he founded in 1986. Hull will serve as vice president and chief technology officer, leading 3D’s research and engineering division.

Richard D. Balason, president and chief operating officer, has resigned to pursue other interests, the company said.

3D Systems provides solid imaging products and services, which fabricate solid prototypes from digital input.

* Richard Cook, chairman of Walt Disney Motion Pictures Group, will oversee Buena Vista Home Entertainment, the studio’s worldwide home video operations, in addition to his current duties, the company announced. Mark Zoradi and Mitch Koch will continue to oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of Buena Vista Home Entertainment, which distributes and markets videocassettes and DVDs for Disney.

* Karen Glass has been promoted to vice president of Burbank-based Buena Vista Motion Pictures Group, the company announced.

For the past 10 years, Glass has held a variety of posts with Buena Vista Pictures Distribution and Marketing and has served as vice president of marketing since April 1998. In her new role, she will be involved in developing feature films.

* John Gernert has been named senior vice president of VPA Inc. of Calabasas, a disability case management firm. He will oversee the company’s information systems, client services, and quality assurance and reporting departments. He will continue to lead VPA’s human resources, contract administration and finance departments.

* Ernie Weckbaugh has been tapped by Phoenix Media Group Ltd., Burbank, to be chief cartoonist and project consultant for its Manfred Moose project. Weckbaugh, president and founder of Casa Graphics in Burbank, got an early start in the performing arts as “Stinkey” in the “Our Gang” comedies from 1937 to 1941.

Weckbaugh created the nominees’ certificates for the Grammy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards and taught calligraphy at Disney Studios.

* Anthony Frey, chief financial officer of Highland Bancorp Inc., Burbank, left the company June 25. Frey’s responsibilities will be assumed by Stephen Cooper, controller, and Kelly Andrews, treasurer, of Highland Federal, the company said.

* Lee Froschheiser has been hired by Management Action Programs, a management consulting firm, as an executive consultant for the company’s Sherman Oaks office. Froschheiser moves to MAP from McKesson Water Products Co., where he was a regional vice president.

* James B. Carroll has joined Artist Direct, Encino, as chief financial officer. The former Bear, Stearns & Co. senior managing director will manage Artist Direct’s financial operations and collaborate on business development and strategic planning.

Artist Direct is an Internet-based music entertainment company designed to provide a direct connection between music artists and global consumers.

* Stephen de Kanter, a 10-year veteran of Disney Consumer Products, has been named president of a new global licensing organization that will oversee Disney’s worldwide merchandise-licensing operations, the Burbank-based company announced.