John “JV” Venable is a Senior Resident Fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. He conducts extensive research on defense policy with a focus on airpower.

Background: Prior to joining Mitchell, Venable worked as a senior research fellow on air and space power for the Heritage Foundation, focusing on the capability, capacity, and readiness of the Department of the Air Force.  Prior to that role, JV formed and led a research, development, test and evaluation company in Memphis, Tennessee.  During his 25-year career in the Air Force, he accumulated more than 4,500 hours in the F-16 and OV-10 aircraft, graduated from the US Air Force Fighter Weapons School, and held commands at both the squadron and group levels.

Areas of focus: He is a recognized expert on air and space capacity, capability and readiness, and a host of other defense policy issues.  JV has written extensively on the Joint Strike Fighter, the F-15EX, readiness, hypersonics, space systems and architectures, and leadership.   He is the author of a book on building and leading high-performance teams, titled “Breaking the Trust Barrier.”

Academic and professional titles: JV received his undergraduate degree from Ohio University, majoring Business Management, and followed with master’s degrees in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry Riddle, and Strategic Studies from the Air War College.