Orbital ATK names John Bird VP of Washington operations

Orbital ATK, Inc. of Dulles, VA announced on February 8 the promotion of John Bird to vice president of Orbital ATK’s Washington operations, succeeding Guy Bourn, who will remain with the company in a part-time role. Bird will assume the primary responsibility for coordinating and supporting government relations, strategy, and business development activities in the Washington, DC, area for Orbital ATK’s aerospace and defense portfolio of products. Bird has served as a senior director in Orbital ATK’s Washington operations office since 2012.

“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, Orbital ATK senior vice president of government relations. “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.”

Prior to joining Orbital ATK, Bird served in the US Air Force for over 23 years, including multiple tours flying the F-15C. Highlights from his career include service as the wing commander at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, vice wing commander at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, and fighter squadron commander during a five-year assignment in Japan. Bird retired from the Joint Staff, where he was chief of staff for the director of J-8.

Bird is actively engaged in multiple professional associations in the Washington, DC area, including the National Defense Industrial Association Procurement Division and the Aerospace Industries Association Acquisition Policy Council and Washington Procurement Committee. Bird is currently serving as the president of the Air Force Association Nation’s Capital Chapter.

Bird was a distinguished graduate from the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland’s School for Public Policy, where he attended as a MacArthur Junior Scholar. Bird also holds a master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College, and he completed a certificate of professional development in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Source: Orbital ATK