FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Longtime Falcons scout Shepley Heard has been named the organization's director of pro personnel.
Heard recently completed his 14th season with the Falcons and his sixth as a regional scout, splitting those six years between East and West regions. Prior to being elevated to regional scout, Heard served as an area scout from 2008-12. Prior to his move into college scouting, Heard served as a scouting assistant in the pro personnel department in 2005 before being promoted to pro scout in the spring of 2006.
In addition, Joel Collier has assumed the role of national scout, providing more than 25 years of NFL experience to the college scouting department. Entering his fourth season with the Falcons, Collier joined the team after spending five seasons as the assistant general manager for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009-13.
"We are committed to making changes in the best interest of the organization and feel we are putting both Shepley and Joel in positions of strength," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Shepley has been a valuable member of our scouting department for 14 years and brings great experience to this new leadership role. Similarly, Joel's breadth of experience and versatility throughout the league will greatly benefit our college scouting process."
