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== Early career and background ==

== Early career and background ==

Ball was born in Pawling, New York, and grew up on the Kennedy estate of Stephen and Jean Kennedy-Smith, sister of [[President of the United States|President]] [[John F. Kennedy]], where his parents were both caretakers.<ref name="feet">Klein, Benjamin. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=1874&searchstr=Greg%20Ball Ball looks to hold people’s feet to the fire]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. [[January 16]], [[2007]].</ref> He attended the prestigious Valley Forge Military Academy]] before receiving an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from Congresswoman [[Sue Kelly]].<ref name="officialbio"/> He was the first member of his family to attend college.<ref name="campaignbio">"[http://www.ball4ny.com/about.aspx About Greg]". ''[http://www.assemblymangball.com/ Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball received a Bachelors of Arts in Government in 2001.<ref name="officialbio"/> He is currently completing a Masters thesis in International Affairs at [[Georgetown University]], and was a fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency from 2002 to 2003.<ref>Henderson, Robert E., ed. "[http://www.thepresidency.org/Publications/fellowspublications.html A Dialogue on the Presidency with a New Generation of Leaders: Papers of the 2002-2003 Center Fellows]". Washington, DC: [http://www.thepresidency.org CSP], 2003.</ref> Ball is a board member of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, and is a member of several area Chambers of Commerce and business associations.<ref>"[http://www.usafa.org/about/governance/BoardCommittees.aspx Committees of the Board]". ''[http://www.usafa.org Air Force Academy Association of Graduates]''. Retrieved on [[February 26]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Greene, Mae. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18784866&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Chamber of Commerce awardees]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[September 7]], [[2007]].</ref>

Ball was born in Pawling, New York, and grew up on the Kennedy estate of Stephen and Jean Kennedy-Smith, sister of [[President of the United States|President]] [[John F. Kennedy]], where his parents were both caretakers.<ref name="feet">Klein, Benjamin. "[http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=1874&searchstr=Greg%20Ball Ball looks to hold people’s feet to the fire]". ''[[Legislative Gazette]]''. [[January 16]], [[2007]].</ref> He attended the prestigious Valley Forge Military Academy before receiving an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy from Congresswoman [[Sue Kelly]].<ref name="officialbio"/> He was the first member of his family to attend college.<ref name="campaignbio">"[http://www.ball4ny.com/about.aspx About Greg]". ''[http://www.assemblymangball.com/ Ball for Assembly]''. Retrieved on [[February 24]], [[2008]].</ref> Ball received a Bachelors of Arts in Government in 2001.<ref name="officialbio"/> He is currently completing a Masters thesis in International Affairs at [[Georgetown University]], and was a fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency from 2002 to 2003.<ref>Henderson, Robert E., ed. "[http://www.thepresidency.org/Publications/fellowspublications.html A Dialogue on the Presidency with a New Generation of Leaders: Papers of the 2002-2003 Center Fellows]". Washington, DC: [http://www.thepresidency.org CSP], 2003.</ref> Ball is a board member of the Air Force Academy Association of Graduates, and is a member of several area Chambers of Commerce and business associations.<ref>"[http://www.usafa.org/about/governance/BoardCommittees.aspx Committees of the Board]". ''[http://www.usafa.org Air Force Academy Association of Graduates]''. Retrieved on [[February 26]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Greene, Mae. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=18784866&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Chamber of Commerce awardees]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[September 7]], [[2007]].</ref>

Ball initially interned in the [[White House]] Drug Policy Office during the term of President [[Bill Clinton]] and was then assigned to the 11th Wing as a protocol officer to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff.<ref>"VOTER'S GUIDE: 99th state Assembly District". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[October 29]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"I was honored to serve as Greg Ball’s mentor while he was in the U.S. Air Force. When Greg was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at the United States Air Force Academy, I was honored to pin on his rank and commission him as a young officer. As Greg excelled through the ranks and was promoted to Captain, I was honored to watch Greg perform as an outstanding young officer. Greg Ball graduated from the Air Force Academy, served in the White House Drug Policy Office, lived on Capitol Hill, and served in the 11th Wing in our Nation’s capital working directly for four star generals in the Pentagon and throughout the National Capitol Region. Few Lieutenants are chosen for such a demanding position."&ndash;[[Colonel|Col.]] Joseph P. Green, [[United States Air Force|USAF (Ret.)]], [http://www.newscopy.org/2006/06/99th_balls_mili.html E-Mail to Bob Fois]. [[June 6]], [[2006]].</ref> He was awarded an achievement medal for outstanding service by General John P. Jumper and was honorably discharged from active duty in January of 2005 at the rank of Captain.<ref name="officialbio"/><ref>Benson, John. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15827256&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=6 Town of Pawling 2005 Year in Review]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[December 29]], [[2005]].</ref> Ball remains in the U.S. Air Force Ready Reserve.<ref>Benson, John. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17343190&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Community salutes military families]". ''[http://www.pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[December 20]], [[2006]].</ref>

Ball initially interned in the [[White House]] Drug Policy Office during the term of President [[Bill Clinton]] and was then assigned to the 11th Wing as a protocol officer to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Air Force Chief of Staff.<ref>"VOTER'S GUIDE: 99th state Assembly District". ''[[Poughkeepsie Journal]]''. [[October 29]], [[2006]].</ref><ref>"I was honored to serve as Greg Ball’s mentor while he was in the U.S. Air Force. When Greg was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at the United States Air Force Academy, I was honored to pin on his rank and commission him as a young officer. As Greg excelled through the ranks and was promoted to Captain, I was honored to watch Greg perform as an outstanding young officer. Greg Ball graduated from the Air Force Academy, served in the White House Drug Policy Office, lived on Capitol Hill, and served in the 11th Wing in our Nation’s capital working directly for four star generals in the Pentagon and throughout the National Capitol Region. Few Lieutenants are chosen for such a demanding position."&ndash;[[Colonel|Col.]] Joseph P. Green, [[United States Air Force|USAF (Ret.)]], [http://www.newscopy.org/2006/06/99th_balls_mili.html E-Mail to Bob Fois]. [[June 6]], [[2006]].</ref> He was awarded an achievement medal for outstanding service by General John P. Jumper and was honorably discharged from active duty in January of 2005 at the rank of Captain.<ref name="officialbio"/><ref>Benson, John. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15827256&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=6 Town of Pawling 2005 Year in Review]". ''[http://pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[December 29]], [[2005]].</ref> Ball remains in the U.S. Air Force Ready Reserve.<ref>Benson, John. "[http://www.zwire.com/site/index.cfm?newsid=17343190&BRD=1707&PAG=461&dept_id=72297&rfi=8 Community salutes military families]". ''[http://www.pawlingnewschronicle.com Pawling News-Chronicle]''. [[December 20]], [[2006]].</ref>