FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2025
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – Tom Callahan, a member of the Scouting America Eagle Scout class of 1977, 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 30, 2025, at the Khedive Shrine Center in Chesapeake.
In 1972, Callahan was among the founding members of Cub Scout Pack 120 in Buffalo, NY. He earned the Arrow of Light rank and crossed over to Troop 120. In 1977, he earned Eagle Scout, the first of four brothers to achieve Scouting’s highest rank.
A Scouting trip to Washington, DC, and the US Naval Academy in 1974 provided a glance at his future. After graduating from USNA with a BS in Economics, Tom pursued studies to qualify as a nuclear engineer, serving aboard the Norfolk-based submarine USS Jacksonville. By 1993, Tom had completed his JD/MBA, returned to the area, and reconnected with Scouting as an assistant Scoutmaster (ASM) in Troop 362.
He soon took positions on the Scoutfest Planning Committee, the Endowment Committee, and as Elizabeth River District Administration Chair. By the late ’90s, Tom joined the Tidewater Council Executive Board as the finance chair until 2003.
At about this time, his oldest son joined Cub Scouts. Through both of his sons’ Journeys to Eagle, Tom held positions as Cubmaster and committee chair of Pack 417, and assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster of Troop 417. After earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, his daughter became a Scouting America Venturer and attended Jamboree with her brothers. Tom’s wife, Kathryn (a Gold Award recipient), is also an active Scouter. Together with Wes Sherman, Tom and Kathryn founded Troop 19 in 2019.
As his children headed to college, Tom became Princess Anne District Chair, and later District and then Council Family Friends of Scouting Campaign Chair. After a term as Vice President for Membership, he is currently the Council Executive Vice President, while remaining active as an ASM with Troops 417 and 19.
Tom has served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Law Foundation, Larkspur Swim and Racquet Club, and various church committees. He enjoys rowing with the Juniper Rowing Club on the Intracoastal Waterway, improving his oil painting skills, and challenging the Scouts in hiking and paddling.
Scouting provides opportunities to explore skills and interests beyond what a youth’s environment might present or support. The community of Scouts and Scouters continues to help Tom learn and share experiences and opportunities.
Callahan received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award alongside fellow recipients Dr. Donald Bowling and Jack Ross.
(from left): Tidewater Council NESA Chair Justin Kilmer, NOESA recipient Jack Ross, NOESA recipient Donald Bowling, NOESA recipient Tom Callahan, and Scout Executive James Parnell
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 Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Portsmouth, 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 james.parnell@scouting.org, 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, more than one million youth are served by 477,000 dedicated adult volunteers in local councils nationwide.
To learn more about Scouting America’s mission, visit Scouting.org.
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