One of the league's top executives, Tom Heckert is in his 8th season in Philadelphia after being promoted to his current role of general manager on January 2, 2006. In this role, he works closely with Andy Reid in all player personnel matters while managing the player personnel department, which includes both college and pro scouting. On May 30, 2008, the team extended his contract through 2011.
 
"The lifeblood of building a successful NFL team is having a strong player personnel department. Specifically, the success in the draft," said team president Joe Banner. "Tom has been a tremendous asset in that area. He's bright and is very diligent in his work."
 
His first draft with the Eagles produced Lito Sheppard, Michael Lewis, Brian Westbrook and Sheldon Brown, the first three earning Pro Bowl selections. In 2004, the Eagles added two-time Pro Bowler in Shawn Andrews and another Pro Bowler Trent Cole in 2005. Prior to the 2004 draft, he also engineered the trade of 3rd-string QB A.J. Feeley to the Dolphins for their 2nd round pick in the 2005 draft, which was used to select WR Reggie Brown.
 
Heckert has also shown a knack for finding key rookie free agents (S Quintin Mikell, C Jamaal Jackson, DT Sam Rayburn, WR Greg Lewis, and LB Akeem Jordan among others) who not only earned roster spots, but have been solid contributors to the Eagles recent success.
 
Heckert, 41, joined the Eagles as the club's director of player personnel on May 21, 2001, after a 10-year stint as a member of the Miami Dolphins player personnel department. Heckert was promoted to vice president of player personnel in 2003.
 
"In the interview, I just felt comfortable with him," Reid said, "felt comfortable with what he knew. I knew he wouldn't be afraid to tell me his honest opinion. I knew it wouldn't matter what the scouts or the coaches said. He was going to give me a straight shot."
 
In 1999, he served as the Dolphins assistant director of pro personnel/college scout and was promoted to director of pro personnel in 2000. Heckert served as both a pro scout and as a college scout during his first nine seasons in South Florida.
 
Heckert's scouting talents have been valued by the NFL. In 2003, he was appointed by the league to the 12-person College Advisory Committee, which advises college football juniors on their draft status. In 2008, Heckert was named to the General Managers Advisory Committee, which will advise Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL football operations department on key issues involving player development, scouting and technology.
 
Over his 17-year career in the NFL, Heckert's teams have experienced just one losing season, won their division eight times and made the playoffs 12 times, including five in Philadelphia.
 
During Heckert's tenure in Miami, he worked under two of the most successful head coaches in NFL history - Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson - who both personally recommended Heckert for his current post with the Eagles.
 
Said Johnson when Heckert was hired, "I told Coach Reid if I were to come back as a head coach, Tom would be one of the first guys I'd try to hire."
 
A native of Adrian, Michigan, Heckert joined the Dolphins after spending two years as an assistant coach at Hillsdale College in Michigan. He also was a defensive back at Hillsdale.
 
Heckert's father, Tom, began his coaching career in 1961 and spent 20 years in the NFL player personnel ranks, his last 13 with Miami before retiring in 2004. Recalled the younger Heckert, "I was around the football field and football offices probably more than I was home. I was always there. After school, I'd watch his practices. We'd go to every game. When I was really young, he'd be upstairs in his office working and I'd just watch tape, because it was there."
 
Heckert (born 7/17/67) has a son, Griffin, and a daughter, Madison, and resides in Chadds Ford, PA.