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.
During a hearing in October 2011, the chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee grew misty-eyed when he could not tell one armed service member what his future prospects would be in the military in an era of declining defense budgets.
After 23 extensions, House and Senate conferees are scheduled to meet Jan. 31 to iron out differences between two FAA reauthorization bills. The House is also expected to finally, formally move to a conference, with Republicans naming representatives to the conference committee that will handle the negotiations.
Even though defense budgets are finally beginning to turn downward, the Pentagon has avoided eye-popping program kills, leaving plenty of space on the negotiating table for another round of deficit reductions, defense analysts say.
