Analytical Staff

Aaron Heffron has nearly 30 years of experience in research and analysis in various industries and sectors, including the federal government, trade associations, technology, television and radio, and telecommunications. As President for Research and Forecasting for the GovExec Media Group, Aaron brings together various research and information sources across the organization including Forecast International, Military Periscope, Market Connections and the Government Business Council to help clients get the information they need to make good business decisions.

Prior to its acquisition by GovExec, Aaron was President of Market Connections, a market research company providing qualitative and quantitative research services and strategy advice to the government contracting community. He is a regular speaker on topics of federal, state and local government business trends as well as marketing and communication strategies and prides himself in working collaboratively to develop product, marketing and program plans based on sound information.

Prior to joining Market Connections, Aaron worked with The NPD Group, Inc. bringing NPD’s syndicated consumer data to federal, state and local government agencies. He founded some of the first public/private partnerships with the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of Labor Statistics to improve economic indicators and data gathering practices. Prior to NPD, he was Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Research for Harris Interactive where he facilitated a multi-continent strategic planning process for the US Department of State, ran product trials for the Open Mobile Video Coalition and facilitated focus groups with first Americans in Alaska and South Dakota.

Aaron’s professional history is rooted in both the public sector and the technology and telecommunications industries, including past positions with the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS), a trade association that represented the interests of America’s 357 public television stations and Independent Sector (IS), a coalition of 700 national nonprofit organizations, foundations and corporate giving programs.

He has his masters degree in public policy (MPP) from Georgetown University and a BA in leadership studies and economics from the University of Richmond in Virginia. 

Jennifer Robinson is Forecast International’s Vice President of Research Operations. With more than 34 years of experience in the publishing and research industry, she has developed core competencies in content veracity, website management, product dissemination, and vendor procurement.

In her role as Vice President of Research Operations, Robinson oversees the production and distribution of high-quality products and services, ensuring that clients have access to the most accurate, reliable, and timely information and insights. She manages website design, development, and maintenance, ensuring that it meets the needs and expectations of users and stakeholders. Additionally, she leverages her analytical, presentation, and negotiation skills to optimize workflow efficiency and secure the best deals and contracts for equipment and vendors. Robinson is committed to maintaining high levels of quality and timeliness in deliverables while effectively responding to changing market needs. Under her leadership, the company has successfully launched several new products, expanded its international reach, and increased user retention and satisfaction rates. She is passionate about Forecast International’s mission to provide the best market intelligence and analysis for clients and strives to foster a culture of excellence, creativity, and inclusion among her team and across the organization. 

Education: BS Aviation Business Administration, Lewis University.

With diverse experience in the commercial aviation industry, Grant joins Forecast International as the Lead Commercial Aerospace Analyst. He began his career at the Boeing Company, where he worked as a geospatial analyst, designing and building aeronautical navigation charts for Department of Defense flight operations.

Grant then joined a boutique global aviation consulting firm that focused on the aviation finance and leasing industry. In this role he conducted valuations and market analysis of commercial aircraft and engines for banks, private equity firms, lessors and airlines for the purposes of trading, collateralizing and securitizing commercial aviation assets.

Grant has a deep passion for the aviation industry and is also a pilot. He holds his Commercial Pilots License and Instrument Rating in addition to being an FAA Certified Flight Instructor.
 

Education: MSc Defense, Development, and Diplomacy, Durham Univerity, U.K.; BA Political Science and International Studies, Iowa State University.

A researcher by trade and a long-time military studies enthusiast, David specializes in analyzing military markets and combat systems research. With six years of military service and over seven years of research experience, David has devoted his professional career to studying the defense industry. Understanding how militaries operate, what tools they use, and how they use them is what inspires him. David works with clients to answer important industry questions and find pragmatic solutions to complex issues.

Before joining Forecast International, David spent six years in the United States Marine Corps where he specialized in infantry tactics and training. Following his military service, he spent seven years researching, writing, and analyzing content in the defense field. His previous roles include Global Conflict Data Analyst at Intelligence Fusion, Geopolitical Risk Analyst at Global Risk Intelligence, and Senior Industry Analyst at Government Business Council. 

Education: MA, Political Science, Villanova University; BA, Political Science & Philosophy, Rosemont College.

Vincent Carchidi has a background in defense and policy analysis, specializing in critical and emerging technologies. He is currently a Defense Industry Analyst with Forecast International.

Before joining Forecast International, Vincent was a Non-Resident Scholar and Affiliate of the Middle East Institute’s Strategic Technologies and Cyber Security Program, where his work focused on U.S.-China technology competition and the role of the Middle East therein. He has also served as a Non-Resident Fellow with the Orion Policy Institute’s Cyber Security & Information Technologies program.

Vincent has published diverse research, including a co-authored public response to the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy’s Request for Information on an AI Action Plan. His published research also touches on areas including Neuro-Symbolic AI and its role in U.S. defense research and development. Some of Vincent’s other work appears in Defense One, War on the Rocks, and Military Strategy Magazine. He maintains an academic background in cognitive science and AI that informs his work. 

Education: MA, U.S. Foreign Policy and National Security, American University; BA, International Affairs, American University.

Anna Miskelley has cultivated a deep interest in global security, emerging technologies, and military systems throughout her academic and professional career. She is currently a Defense Industry Analyst with Forecast International.

Before joining Forecast International, Anna was a research fellow at the Center for Security, Innovation, and New Technology, where she researched the impact of artificial intelligence on U.S. nuclear command and control systems. Proficient in Mandarin Chinese, Anna has published research on topics including strategic stability, internal Chinese politics, and artificial intelligence.   

Jorge Morejon is a Data Analyst at Forecast International, where he blends technical expertise with cross-functional collaboration to deliver data-driven solutions that make an impact. Partnering with stakeholders across departments, he transforms complex business questions into actionable insights through the development of custom dashboards, optimized SQL queries, and clean, reliable data pipelines.

Jorge’s contributions support diverse organizational objectives, from monitoring defense market trends to streamlining internal performance reporting. Guided by a commitment to user-centered design and analytical integrity, he ensures decision-makers have access to accurate, timely insights that drive results.

Previously, Jorge served as a Data Analyst at CJIS Group, where he played a key role in designing advanced dashboards and ETL processes. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from Florida State University and thrives on solving complex problems through data-driven thinking.

Lauren Estrada has a background in global and cyber intelligence, with a strong interest in communicating technical threats to non-technical audiences. She currently works as an Editor & Analyst with Forecast International and Military Periscope, where she contributes to research and analysis on defense technologies. Her previous experience includes defense technology research, regional risk assessments, client-facing intelligence reports, trend analysis, threat of actor behavior, and cyber-focused research.

While pursuing her B.S. in Global Security and Intelligence Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, Lauren co-led a cross-disciplinary initiative to introduce cybersecurity fundamentals to students across all majors. Her team designed and proposed a course that bridged cybersecurity and non-technical disciplines, fostering inclusive engagement with cyber skills. This work led to speaking engagements at university industry board meetings and the 2025 National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Pittsburgh, PA.