Based in Washington, Jen managed Aviation Week’s worldwide defense, space and security coverage from 2013 to January 2024.
Prior to taking on the Executive Editor 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 it comes to spending money on U.S. elections, the employees of defense companies tend to play it safe. They target campaign donations toward proven incumbents. And they hedge their bets, spreading the wealth between two candidates if the polls are close, or zeroing in on the one most likely to win the race.
In the race for Missouri Senate, in which two members of the congressional armed services committees — Sen. Claire McCaskill (D) and Rep. Todd Akin (R) — are in a statistical tie, Boeing employees have largely put their money behind the Senate incumbent. Boeing Defense Space & Security is based in St. Louis. And the company’s employees have plunked down $58,500 for McCaskill, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
