FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2025
For more information:
Alison Harrison, Marketing and Communications Director
James Parnell, Scout Executive
Virginia Beach, Va. – Jack Ross, a member of the Scouting America Eagle Scout class of 1976, 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.
Ross is the former president and COO of Dominion Enterprises and president of Landmark Media Enterprises, LLC. He oversaw The Virginian-Pilot, two other major daily newspapers, more than 50 community newspapers, two TV stations, Auto Trader, Yachtworld, For Rent Media, and Homes.com.
He began his career as an advertising sales rep at The Virginian-Pilot and worked through Landmark’s ranks. When he became president in 2009, the company had more than 7,500 employees and over $1 billion in revenue.
Today, Jack consults with local startup companies. He graduated from Old Dominion University and had the honor of delivering the commencement address there in 2012. He was elected to the ODU Distinguished Alumni Association a year later.
He earned the Eagle Scout rank in 1976 with Troop 303 in Norfolk. He is active in various civic endeavors such as United Way, Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, and Scouting America, for which he has chaired the annual Leadership Breakfast for four years. He enjoys traveling, fitness, and sports. In 2021, he hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. Raised by a single mother, Jack is a native of Hawaii and moved to Hampton Roads when he was 10 years old. He and his wife reside in Virginia Beach.
Ross received the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award alongside fellow recipients Dr. Donald Bowling and Tom Callahan.
(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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