Heather Penney is senior resident fellow for the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, where she conducts extensive research on cutting edge defense policy with a focus on the leveraging the critical advantage that only aerospace power affords.
Prior to joining Mitchell, she worked over a decade in the defense industry focused on defense budgets, supporting program execution, and capture campaign management. She served in the D.C. Air National Guard flying F-16s and G-100s; she has also served in the Air Force Reserve in the National Military Command Center. She has also lectured extensively on subjects such as Air Force capabilities and force structure; organizational command and control; reforming the defense personnel system; and other defense policy issues to a broad number of organizations, universities, and military institutions.
She received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University, majoring in English with a minor in Philosophy; and earned her Master of Arts in American Studies from Purdue University as well. She continues to fly vintage aircraft, has raced jets, and tours with the Collings Foundation. (LinkedIn, Twitter, Washington Post Profile)
