George Birsic Joins Ball Aerospace Washington Office

November 16, 2012

BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. has hired George Birsic as director of defense and intelligence programs for Ball Aerospace's Washington, D.C., Operations, effective Oct. 29, 2012.  Birsic will report to Fred Doyle, vice president and corporate lead executive for the defense and intelligence community.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121116/LA14880)

"George Birsic is a nationally recognized leader with an impressive career," said Doyle.  "Our company has increased its share of defense and intelligence over the last several years and George, as Ball's customer contact, will be an invaluable resource to continue our strong performance in this market."

Birsic joins Ball Aerospace following a 26-year career in the United States Air Force, retiring with the rank of colonel.   He led advanced technology efforts for the airborne laser program; created and coordinated nuclear safety policy; managed intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems development programs; and directed on-orbit operations communications satellites.  Most recently Birsic served as the director of the Systems Technology Group at the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) where he was responsible for policy, budget, technology development and security oversight.

Previous career highlights include: Commerce Science and Technology fellow, Department of Commerce; Operational Solutions Group director, NRO; Engineering Division director, Operational Support Office, NRO; Mission Enhancement Division director, Airborne Laser System Program Office; and Nuclear Energy Systems chief, Air Force Safety Center.

Birsic received his bachelor of science in physics from the United States Air Force Academy, a master of science in systems management from the University of Southern California, a master of science in applied engineering and physics from George Mason University and master of public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He also attended the international relations program at the University of Zagreb, Croatia.

Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp. supports critical missions for national agencies such as the Department of Defense, NASA, NOAA and other U.S. government and commercial entities. The company develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems and RF solutions for strategic, tactical and scientific applications. For more information visit www.ballaerospace.com.

Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) is a supplier of high quality packaging for beverage, food and household products customers, and of aerospace and other technologies and services, primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ more than 14,500 people worldwide and reported 2011 sales of more than $8.6 billion. For the latest Ball news and for other company information, please visit http://www.ball.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking" statements concerning future events and financial performance. Words such as "expects," "anticipates, " "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Key risks and uncertainties are summarized in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Exhibit 99.2 in our Form 10-K, which are available on our website and at www.sec.gov. Factors that might affect our packaging segments include fluctuation in product demand and preferences; availability and cost of raw materials; competitive packaging availability, pricing and substitution; changes in climate and weather; crop yields; competitive activity; failure to achieve anticipated productivity improvements or production cost reductions; mandatory deposit or other restrictive packaging laws; changes in major customer or supplier contracts or loss of a major customer or supplier; political instability and sanctions; and changes in foreign exchange rates or tax rates. Factors that might affect our aerospace segment include: funding, authorization, availability and returns of government and commercial contracts; and delays, extensions and technical uncertainties affecting segment contracts. Factors that might affect the company as a whole include those listed plus: accounting changes; changes in senior management; the recent global recession and its effects on liquidity, credit risk, asset values and the economy; successful or unsuccessful acquisitions; regulatory action or laws including tax, environmental, health and workplace safety, including U.S. FDA and other actions affecting products filled in our containers, or chemicals or substances used in raw materials or in the manufacturing process; governmental investigations; technological developments and innovations; goodwill impairment; antitrust, patent and other litigation; strikes; labor cost changes; rates of return projected and earned on assets of the company's defined benefit retirement plans; pension changes; uncertainties surrounding the U.S. government budget and debt limit; reduced cash flow; interest rates affecting our debt; and changes to unaudited results due to statutory audits or other effects.

SOURCE Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.