FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2026
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – Joel R. Nied, a member of the Scouting America Eagle Scout class of 1986, was honored as a recipient of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award by Scouting America Tidewater Council at its Recognition Banquet on April 29, 2026, at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake.
Nied was a Cub Scout in Pack 14 in Jacksonville, Florida, (North Florida Council) where he earned his Arrow of Light. He continued his Scouting journey with Troop 12 in Jacksonville, which Ahavath Chesed Synagogue chartered. Joel became a Brotherhood member of the Echockotee Lodge of the Order of the Arrow. In 1984, he went to Philmont, and in 1986, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Joel is an attorney whose practice focuses on corporate and securities matters, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financings, and intellectual property. Joel also has extensive experience handling transactions involving debt and equity financings, joint ventures, licensing agreements, engineering services contracts, executive employment and compensation, development agreements, and supply agreements. His practice is industry-agnostic, serving government contractors, real estate portfolio owners, and software developers. Joel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Emory University School of Law. Joel has been named to the Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and a Virginia Lawyers Weekly Go-To Lawyer for Business Law.
Joel has served as a Lone Scout Friend and Counselor since 2020, when his two sons and daughter joined Scouting. All of his children are Eagle Scouts. In 2020, Joel helped the Tidewater Council stand up Virginia’s first “Award Center” for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. He has served as the Award Leader of the Award Center since then. He currently serves on Tidewater Council’s Executive Council. Last year, he was the Friends of Scouting Chair for the Bayside District. This year, he is the co-chair of the Tidewater Council’s Leadership Breakfast.
In addition to volunteering with Scouting, Joel has served on a variety of local not-for-profit boards, including the Entrepreneurs Forum of Hampton Roads and the Hospice and Palliative Care of Tidewater, as well as the boards of for-profit companies. In 2024, he received his commission to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority.
About the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award
The National Eagle Scout Association established the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award during the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America in 2010. Popularly known by its acronym, “NOESA,” the award recognizes Eagle Scouts as notable for their local, state, regional, or national distinguished service.
Candidates for the NOESA have inspired others through their positive actions reflected by recognized accomplishments and devotion to their profession, hobby, community, and beliefs. Previous recipients include authors, explorers, media personalities, military flag officers, scientists, medical doctors, government officials, prominent businesspeople, and entrepreneurs.
Award recipients are determined by the local council NESA committee, Scout executive, and council president. Each recipient’s record of service and accomplishments elevates the public stature and reputation of Eagle Scouts.
About the National Eagle Scout Association
The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) is an organization of individuals who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America. NESA’s objective is “to serve Eagle Scouts and, through them, the entire movement of Scouting.” NESA administers several scholarships for Eagle Scouts, both academic and merit-based.
About Scouting America Tidewater Council
Established in 1911, Tidewater Council is the fifth oldest Scouting America council in the United States. Today, the council serves approximately 4,000 youth and 1,700 adult volunteers in the Virginia cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and the North Carolina counties of Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Gates, Pasquotank, and Perquimans. To learn more about Tidewater Council or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit TidewaterBSA.com, email [email protected], or call 757-497-2688.
About Scouting America
Scouting America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®”
Scouting America welcomes all of America’s youth into its programs. Scouting aims to give them fantastic experiences in the outdoors, and elsewhere, where they can grow in a safe environment. More than 130 million Americans have participated in Scouting’s programs since its founding. Today, almost one million youth are served by 500,000 adult volunteers in local councils throughout the country.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, or to sign your child up for Scouting, visit BeAScout.org.
###