Ball employees receive 2014 Women in Manufacturing STEP Awards

Mary McDonald and Carmelia Van Horn of packaging company Ball Corporation were selected to receive 2014 Women in Manufacturing Science, Technology, Engineering and Production (STEP) Awards for their excellence and leadership in manufacturing.

Sponsored by the Manufacturing Institute in partnership with Deloitte, University of Phoenix and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, the STEP Awards identify and highlight women who have demonstrated manufacturing excellence in science, technology, engineering or production roles through their positive impact on a company's product development, process improvement, projects, sales or other similar activities.

"Science, technology, engineering and production are at the heart of our aerospace and packaging operations, and we are proud that Carmelia and Mary's accomplishments were acknowledged through the STEP awards," said Lisa A. Pauley, senior vice president, human resources and administration at Ball. "Their recognition reinforces Ball's efforts to encourage and embrace diversity of thought in the company's operations. More importantly, it highlights the contributions of two key Ball team members who exemplify our values every day."

The second annual STEP Awards are part of the larger STEP Ahead initiative, founded in 2012 to examine and promote the role of women in science, technology, engineering and production through recognition, research, and best practices for attracting, advancing and retaining strong female talent.

McDonald and Van Horn will be honored among the 160 STEP award recipients, who represent a diverse group of women from all levels of manufacturing, at a reception in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 6. The STEP Awards program will highlight each honoree's story, including their leadership and accomplishments in manufacturing.

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.