NJ Snowboarder Could Have Toured As Pro, Went To College Instead

NUTLEY, NJ — Essex County’s Jon Callahan could have joined a professional snowboarding tour. Instead, he chose college. And according to his alma mater, Caldwell University, the decision is paying off in spades for the athlete-turned-entrepreneur.

Caldwell University recently honored the Nutley resident with a 2018 Veritas Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship, the highest recognition the school bestows on its alumni.

According to school administrators:

“Callahan is the founder of Launch Snowboards, an international brand widely viewed as a game changer in the industry. He rides himself, demonstrating his company’s commitment to research and testing and to producing premium performance products. A competitive snowboarder in high school, Callahan gave up a lucrative professional touring opportunity to study at Caldwell. He snowboarded professionally while a student at Caldwell, competing at major contest series such as the U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix, a U.S. Olympic team qualifying event. In 2010, he ranked among the top 100 snowboarders worldwide.”

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After graduating Caldwell University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration – and a minor in marketing/graphic design - Callahan continued his foray into the world of business, becoming a member of the “highly selective, invitation-only” Young Entrepreneur Council, school administrators said.

He now serves on the advisory board of Brainguard Technologies, a firm working to reduce traumatic brain injuries and chronic traumatic encephalopathy through design of a multi-shell helmet safety system.

• See related article: Livingston IT Entrepreneur Makes Successful Switch To Real Estate

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Photos: Caldwell University