The Vice President of the United States is the second-most senior position in the executive branch of the United States government, serving as the head of the Senate and as the first-in-line to the Presidency. The Vice President was initially considered a relatively minor role compared to other Cabinet officials or legislators, but was revolutionized by Vice President Tom Heaps (1969-73), who took an active role in the day-to-day affairs of the government as a sort of "co-President" and expanded his power enormously. Since Heaps, every Vice President has had increasing influence over the affairs of the executive branch, reaching its zenith with the powerful William Parcells (1997-2005) who became the de facto administration spokesman and champion of policy.