²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ State alumnus leverages connections, industry expertise to bring OWL IN beer to market

KENNESAW, Ga. | Oct 24, 2024

Jeff Chassner
When Jeff Chassner saw the potential for two of his biggest passions to connect, he was all in to see them through to a perfect partnership.

Those passions are his alma mater ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ State University and his employer New Realm Brewing Co. The partnership between the two has resulted in ²έΑρΚΣơ’s first licensed beer – OWL IN, American Lager, launched just in time for the start of fall semester.

As chief sales officer for New Realm, Chassner '00 planted the seeds of the partnership with more than a year ago. The company had begun branded beer partnerships with Georgia Tech and Old Dominion University in recent years. He broached the idea with people he knew in athletics and licensing at ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅.

β€œI told them, β€˜I'm here, and if the opportunity were able to present itself, we would love to partner with you,’” he said.

That partnership has come to fruition, with OWL IN available in shops and restaurants throughout the area, with ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ receiving a portion of the proceeds.

β€œJeff is one of the Owls super fans and a great friend to the university,” said Milton Overton, ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ director of athletics. β€œWe value the partnership with New Realm and the fact a ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ alumnus played the leading role in making it happen makes it that much more special.”

Chassner, 47, has a more than a quarter century relationship with ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ State, beginning when he enrolled as a freshman in the summer of 1995 following his graduation from Cobb County’s Wheeler High School.

β€œI knew with my personality that if I didn't go right to college, I probably wouldn’t go at all,” he said, later deciding to try the local option ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅, just four exits up Interstate 75 from his home. He signed up for two classes that summer, and immediately knew he was in the right place.

In high school, Chassner played trumpet in the marching band, wrestled his senior year and was an all-around sports fan. At ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅, Owls athletics quickly gained a place in his heart as well, and he found an outlet in the sports world that he thought might turn into a career.

Having walked around the gym poking his head into offices, he encountered the head athletic trainer. They talked, and soon Chassner was a student trainer, something he would continue throughout his career at ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ where he worked with the baseball and men’s basketball teams.

β€œI filled up water bottles, washed uniforms, taped ankles – you know, kind of got into sports medicine, but we didn't really have a formal academic program that led to athletic training certification,” he said.

Later in his ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ career, Chassner would meet a fellow student named Kellee Hilliard '00. For the past two decades they have been married and have three children, who they have included in outings to Owls sporting events.

Earlier this year Jeff and Kellee Chassner established a $50,000 endowed scholarship for exercise science students in the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services.

β€œGiving back was something that we both wanted to do, and being that Kellee works in the healthcare field and I got my start in athletic training, we decided the scholarship at Wellstar made sense for us,” Jeff Chassner said.

Another aspect of the partnership between ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ and New Realm gives Chassner a chance to give back to his alma mater by speaking to students. One of the most important lessons he passes along is the importance of building relationships.

β€œWhat I share when I talk is that I’ve never interviewed for a job,” Chassner said. β€œWhen I was in the restaurant business and met people from Miller Brewing, they approached me about joining them, which I did for a decade.”

Further, Chassner said he has built what he calls a β€œpersonal board of directors,” seven or eight people he respects and welcomes their input and advice. He recommends the same idea for students at ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅.

The bottom line for Chassner is that he loves ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅.

β€œI’ve had a great experience with ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅,” he said. β€œIt’s been a journey of 20-plus years, but in a lot of ways it feels like it’s just getting started.”

– Story by Gary Tanner

Photos by Judith Pishnery

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. ²έΑρΚΣΖ΅ State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.