Thomas J. Lewand is a Detroit-area business leader and a former executive for the Detroit Lions. The son of lawyer and Detroit economic development leader F. Thomas Lewand, Tom Lewand began his career with the Detroit Lions in 1995. By 2008, he was serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. On December 29, 2008 he was named President of the Detroit Lions , succeeding Matt Millen, after the team finished the first 0-16 season in NFL history. In his role as president, Lewand oversaw all aspects of the Lions organization. Lewand was fired by the Lions on November 5, 2015.