BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) has recognized two Ball Aerospace employees with Associate Fellows designation for their notable contributions and leadership in furthering the advancement of aerospace science and technology. Arnold "Chip" Barnes III, chief engineer, civil and commercial space, and Michael O'Hara, director, space technologies and services, join nine other AIAA Associate Fellows and two Fellows currently at Ball.

"We are thrilled to have Chip and Mike elected into AIAA's Associate Fellows class of 2018," said Debra Facktor, vice president and general manager, strategic operations and commercial aerospace business unit at Ball Aerospace. "They are two great examples of the support our employees give to AIAA and the broader Aerospace community."

With more than 28 years at Ball, Barnes currently serves as chief engineer for civil and commercial space for both business units, leading technical support, providing strategic guidance and overseeing the technology portfolio. He is also the current program manager and technical lead for the QuikSCAT mission which is being flown for NASA. Previously he served as chief systems engineer on Ball's WorldView spacecraft for DigitalGlobe (now Maxar Technologies).  He has bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Cornell University as well as a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Boulder.    

O'Hara joined Ball in 2014 working in the Washington, D.C. operations developing strategies to expand Ball's technology services business and advocate for new technology development opportunities with NASA and NOAA. Prior to Ball, O'Hara was director, civil space propulsion for Aerojet Rocketdyne's in-space propulsion activities and programs. In 2005, O'Hara was selected for the NASA Congressional Fellowship Program serving as the NASA Liaison to the U.S. Senate where he developed and executed congressional interface strategies with congressional members and advocacy organizations. Earlier in his career, O'Hara developed marketing initiatives and worked technology transfer activities for NASA's Langley Research Center. He has a bachelor's degree from James Madison University.

Barnes and O'Hara will be inducted as AIAA Associate Fellows at AIAA's recognition ceremony and dinner. The ceremony is to take place on Monday, Jan. 8, 2018, in tandem with the AIAA SciTech Forum at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Florida.

Ball Aerospace pioneers discoveries that enable our customers to perform beyond expectation and protect what matters most.  We create innovative space solutions, enable more accurate weather forecasts, drive insightful observations of our planet, deliver actionable data and intelligence, and ensure those who defend our freedom go forward bravely and return home safely.Go Beyond with Ball.® For more information, visit www.ball.com/aerospace or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 18,450 people worldwide and 2016 net sales were $9.1 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

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SOURCE Ball Aerospace