Ball Corporation is a provider of metal and plastic packaging, primarily for beverages and foods, aerospace and other technologies and services to commercial and governmental customers. Founded in 1880, the company employs more than 13,200 people in 75 locations worldwide. During its 125 years of existence, Ball has grown from a small producer of wooden-jacketed tin cans to an international manufacturing company with a cutting edge aerospace business. Ball is recognized throughout the world for its metal and PET plastic food and beverage containers, and for its leading aerospace technology products and services. Based in Boulder, Colo., Ball Aerospace develops technologies for defense, civil and commercial purposes that include full satellite systems and space missions; instruments and sensors; antennas and components; and a variety of space-qualified subsystems. R. David Hoover has been the chief executive officer of Ball for more than five years. He has been with the materials company for over 36 years. Hoover earned a BA degree from DePauw University, and a MBA from Indiana University. Ball Corporation is based in Broomfield, Colo.