Ball announces new appointments
Ball Corporation has announced that Raymond J. Seabrook, 61, executive vice president and chief operating officer, global packaging operations, will retire at the end of 2012 after a 25-year career with the company
Two Ball and packaging industry veterans, Gerrit Heske and Michael Feldser, have been named to succeed Seabrook and lead the company’s global metal packaging businesses.
Heske, formerly president of Ball Packaging Europe, will become senior vice president of Ball Corporation and chief operating officer, global metal beverage packaging.
Feldser, who has led Ball’s food and household products packaging division, Americas, since 2007, will become senior vice president of Ball Corporation and chief operating officer, global metal food and household packaging products.
‘Long and successful career’
“Throughout Ray’s long and successful career, he has made numerous contributions to Ball and has been a key driver of our company’s ability to consistently create value for our shareholders,” said John A. Hayes, president and chief executive officer.
He added: “Our company is stronger today due in no small part to Ray’s leadership and dedication, and we thank Ray for his many years of service, and wish him the best in retirement.
“With Ray’s desire to retire, and the continuing growth in our metal beverage and our food and household packaging businesses, it is the right time to execute the next step in our succession plan and transition the leadership of those global businesses to Gerrit Heske and Mike Feldser, both experienced company executives who have already been successful in leadership roles within Ball,” Hayes said.
He explained: “Gerrit and Mike will step into these new roles quickly and ensure a smooth transition as we grow our company, create value for our shareholders and pursue our Drive for 10 vision.”