Jon’s love of everything outdoors started at an early age with hunting, fishing, backpacking and rock climbing with his dad. As a young boy, he was very active in Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. After graduating from High School, he attended Hocking College where he received a degree in Recreation and Wildlife. Jon then went on to work Miami County Park District as a Naturalist. He continued his education at Ohio University and completed a BS in Outdoor Education after which he managed an outdoor store in Athens before becoming partners with Jim & Debbie Bussman who originally owned The Pedaler in 1981. He then bought them out in 1982 and has been sole owner ever since.
Besides owning and running the store, Jon is a licensed SCUBA instructor trainer through SCUBA Educators International, teaching everything from Snorkeling all the way through Instructor Courses. In his “spare” time, he is the Director of Rome Twp VFD Dive Team, as well as Captain of Rome Twp, Volunteer Fire Dept Unit #1903 and Athens County Sheriff Dept, Special Deputy. His training, life skills and knowledge bring a unique skill set to The Pedaler and The Packer.
Jon is the Lead Rope Rescue Instructor at Hocking College's Natural Resources Department since the early '80s. He also teaches in the worlds of High Angle Fire Rescue, Technical Rope Rescue in both Urban and Wilderness Environments. He also teaches Rope Access Courses for Industrial concerns. These classes are all done outside of The Pedaler & The Packer. The store does not offer these classes.
On a recent trip to California in 2019, he re-established a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Carol, who moved to Ohio to help him run the store and in October of 2019 they were married. Who says fairy tale endings don’t happen!!
We both welcome you to our store and hope that you find what you are looking for! Email us at jon@pedaler.com or call 740-592-4630 with any questions you might have. We look forward to seeing you very soon!
Jon & Carol Tobin