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.
A new study estimates that potential across-the-board budget cuts to the FAA could amount to an $18.4 billion blow to the economy, including the loss of up to 73 million passenger enplanements and 2 billion lb. of airfreight. Former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta called the study, released Aug. 13 by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), “very significant” and urged Congress to take action. “Let’s not let the FAA be victimized by budget politics,” he said.
While most of Washington's attention is focused on budget cuts, a new study is urging NASA to up its investment in space and solar physics. A National Research Council (NRC) committee says the space agency should expand and accelerate its Heliophysics Explorer Program—which studies the Earth's upper atmosphere—over the next 10 years. The NRC is calling for an infusion of $70 million per year to restore the option of a Mid-Size Explorer mission that would alternate with Small Explorer missions every 2-3 years.
Congress may have left Washington for its summer recess, but that hasn't stopped calls for lawmakers to end the gridlock over the federal budget deficit. New and powerful players trying to avert a potential $1 trillion across-the-board federal budget cut are emerging, as former senior officials in the Transportation and Defense departments weigh in on the debate.
