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.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) joined industry officials in calling for a national aerospace strategy in a speech May 24 before the Senate Aerospace Caucus. Because the nation is facing extreme pressure to reduce the budget deficit, the chairman of the Senate Appropriations transportation subcommittee says focusing the nation’s aerospace goals is essential. Companies large and small, Murray said, have told her, "We need a comprehensive national strategy for aerospace,” she says. “The U.S. government has to be a strong partner in that.”
The House Appropriations homeland security subcommittee is increasing funding for aviation security slightly, providing $5.2 billion for fiscal 2012, but it whacks $16.1 million from accounts to buy full-body scanners. The lion’s share of that money, $4.2 billion, provides for screening operations. Aviation security receives slightly more than $1 billion.
Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) is withdrawing a controversial amendment to the FAA reauthorization bill, saying it might have bogged down conference negotiations on the current authorization that expires May 31. Shuster billed his amendment as an attempt to improve FAA rules and increase safety, but opponents charged that it would have made it harder for the FAA to construct safety rules, such as those being put in place in response to a Colgan Air crash in 2009.
