Thomas Heck

Thomas Heck has extensive experience in the military and aviation industry. Thomas began their career in 2000 as an F/A-18C Hornet Pilot and Division Officer for Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO FIVE. In 2005, they joined Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ONE as an F/A-18A/B/C/D/E/F Hornet Test Pilot and Project Officer. In 2007, they became an F/A-18C Hornet Pilot and Department Head for Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT SIX. From 2011-2014, they served as Commanding Officer and Executive Officer for Strike Fighter Squadron ONE FOUR SIX. In 2014, they were the Weapon Systems Integration IPT Lead for the F/A-18 & EA-18G Program at PMA265. In 2016, they became Deputy Program Manager at PMA298. In 2017, they were the Executive Assistant for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN(RDA)) at the Navy Pentagon. In 2019, they were the Major Program Manager for Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA202). Finally, in 2022, they retired from the US Navy as a Retiring Naval Aviator and Major Program Manager and began working as a Senior Engineer and Analyst for 2 Circle Consulting, Inc.

Thomas Heck received their Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Thomas then went on to earn a Master of Science in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee Space Institute. Thomas attended the United States Naval Test Pilot School for Flight Test and earned a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Naval War College.