The National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) awarded 11 Eagle Scouts with the Outstanding Eagle Scout Award to recognize their professional accomplishments, three of whom work at law or lobbying firms and connect their achievements back to Scouting.
The NOESA was established in 2010 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Scouting America. The award recognizes Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated achievements beyond their Scouting experiences. On April 22, 2025, the NOESA will be presented to the Eagle Scouts at an awards dinner in Arlington, Virginia.
Bryan Tramont, one of the nominees with a distinguished law career, is appreciative of the award’s significance and what Scouting has done for his life.
“This recognition is a tremendous honor for me that highlights the role Scouting played in building a life, career and community that are consistent with Scouting’s values,” Tramont said.
Tramont is a managing partner at Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP and is based in Washington, DC. He specializes in media and communication law, representing clients from Fortune 50 companies, as well as start-ups. In his position, Tramont is also responsible for leading the strategy and implementation of WBK’s award-winning communications, media and technology team.
Before joining WBK as a partner in 2005, he worked for the Federal Communications Commission as chief of staff to the chairman from 2003 to 2005. With his expertise, Tramont has been recognized as a leading communications lawyer by Super Lawyers, The Best Lawyers in America, Legal 500, The Washingtonian, and Chambers USA.
As a Scout, Tramont was part of Troop 387 in Manchester, Missouri. He acknowledged that Scouting provided many opportunities for him to grow in his youth.
“Scouting exposed me to a whole new range of experiences and substance,” Tramont said. “It made me more comfortable taking risks. It provided an opportunity for me to develop leadership skills and creativity.”
Tramont credits the skills and values he learned from Scouting to much of his success today.
“The Scouting experience gave me the skills as a leader and as a servant and a community minded person that has shaped all of my achievements since,” Tramont said.
David Ralston, a retired partner and business lawyer, is also a recipient of the NOESA. Ralston worked for the office of Foley & Lardner LLP in Washington, DC, where he devoted his time to government contracts litigation and counseling, rail and airport transportation and national and homeland security.
Ralston was named one of America’s leading lawyers in government contracts by Chambers USA from 2011-2013 and from 2013-2019, he was part of the Washington Super Lawyer’s list for his government contracts work. Earlier in his career from 1980 to 1984, he served active duty with the U.S. Army as a prosecutor in Germany and as an appellate attorney.
From the Baltimore Area Council, Ralston was a member of Troop 44. He was taught leadership and independence, which he believes to be an important aspect of Scouting.
“The key takeaway from Scouting are leadership and a sense of how to manage situations and how to relate to individuals.”
Ralston felt well prepared because of these skills he learned in Scouting, which have served him throughout his career.
“You’re put in a position where you’re supposed to be a shepherd, and that training served me very well within law firms and public service.”
Steve Carey, another NOESA nominee, is the founder and chairman of Potomac Strategic Development Company, LLC, which is a lobbying and advocacy firm. Carey represents numerous clients, including Special Olympics, Save the Children and Lions Club International.
Before creating his own lobbying firm, Carey was a legislative director in the United States Senate and previously in the House of Representatives. Carey also worked for the US Marine Corps in the Classified Material Control Center.
Carey was part of Troop 0290 in the President Gerald R Ford Council in Ada, Michigan. Reflecting on his experience as a Scout, he believes that it provided structure and opportunities for character growth.
“Scouting would bring me back and it put in me a spirit that being good can actually lead to better things.”
Scouting has stayed with Carey throughout his life and the impact is showcased within his company, specifically pertaining to the Scout Law and Oath.
“It’s really about the Scout Law and being in its integrity of what my company does,” Carey said. “It’s service, it’s helping people.”
