John Bird, formerly a senior director in Orbital ATK‘s (NYSE: OA) Washington, D.C. operations office, has been promoted to vice president of Washington operations for the Dulles, Va.-based aerospace and defense company.
Orbital ATK said Wednesday Bird will oversee government relations, strategy and business development activities in the Washington region for the company’s aerospace and defense products.
Bird succeeded Guy Bourn, who will stay with Orbital ATK in a part-time role.
“John Bird is an ideal fit for this role with Orbital ATK given his knowledge of our company and extensive experience in national security and public policy,” said Ed Fortunato, senior vice president of government relations at Orbital ATK.
“Over the past five years, John has been instrumental in advancing our portfolio of defense products on an international scale which demonstrates his strong and capable leadership,” Fortunato added.
Bird served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 23 years and held roles including chief of staff for the Director of J-8, wing commander at Mountain Home Air Force Base, vice wing commander at Tyndall Air Force Base and fighter squadron commander in Japan.
He is the president of the Air Force Association Nation’s Capital Chapter.
