Based in Washington, Jen manages Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage.
Prior to taking on her current role, Jen was Aviation Week's Congressional Editor. Jen came to Aviation Week in March 2011 from Politico, where she covered the intersection of defense and politics. She also worked as a reporter and editor for Defense Daily, Inside the Army, The Other Paper and The Columbus Dispatch.
Jen received a Master’s degree in journalism as a Kiplinger Fellow at the Ohio State University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in history and journalism from the University of Michigan.
When the president begins his second term, he will be dealing with a new Congress. In the last Congress, Republicans on the armed services committees provided a nearly united front against sequestration, but that opposition to across-the-board reductions to defense could be wavering.
HASC AIDE PASSES: Doug Roach, who served the House Armed Services Committee since 1991, died Jan. 11 due to complications from cancer. Roach was the staff lead for the tactical air and land forces subcommittee since 2001, serving the majority party whether Republicans or Democrats were in charge. A retired Air Force colonel, Roach flew F-15 and F-4 aircraft and was an operational test pilot. Roach watched the first “Great Engine War” up close and became a firm believer in the need for a competitive engine process.
Former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) may have picked up Democratic supporters in his quest to be confirmed as the next defense secretary, but he has lost a leading Republican. Sen. Jim Inhofe (Okla.), now the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee that will first review Hagel’s nomination to replace Leon Panetta, says he will vote no.
