Former Navy Chief Economist Among The Presenters

The speakers for the next Air Force Association "Mitchell Hour" will be Dr. Nayantara Hensel, Professor of Industry and Business at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and Fred Downey, Vice President of National Security for the Aerospace Industries Association.

Dr. Hensel previously was the Chief Economist for the U.S. Navy, serving in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Cost and Economics), where she provided economic guidance on defense industrial base issues, growth projections, the federal budget, the financial health of defense contractors, as well as trends in the broader economy and in the defense sector. She has written more than 30 articles and research reports. Her research has included work on globalization and the U.S. defense industrial base and the role of defense mergers in improving weapons systems cost efficiency.

Downey is responsible for monitoring and analyzing national security issues that affect the U.S. aerospace industry's ability to support the Defense Department and to compete and cooperate in the national and global marketplace. In addition, in his position he coordinates the activities of the Association's National Security and Technical Operations Councils and their associated committees and working groups to develop industry consensus and responses to these issues.

All Mitchell Hours are free to the public. This event will take place on Wednesday, March 7, 2012, from 0930-1030 EDT at AFA's national headquarters in Arlington, VA, next to the Key Bridge Marriott. The presentation will be in AFA's fourth floor boardroom.

FMI: www.afa.org/Mitchell