Paul Jeris Representing PIB As A Member Of Blue Origin's New Shepard-32 Team
You know him from his Facebook live videos from all over the island, but where Put-in-Bay Paul is going next, he won’t be able to shoot a Facebook live. That’s because in just a couple of weeks, Paul is blasting off with Blue Origin as a member of New Shepard-32 and going to space, and there’s no service up there!
Paul Jeris, the developer of the Island Club and Put-in-Bay Condos, with a date soon to be announced, will be taking flight on the adventure of a lifetime, crossing the Kármán line and becoming one of less than a thousand humans to be in space!
Blue Origin announced the crew for NS-32 this morning. Joining Paul will be STEM teacher Aymette Medina Jorge, radiologist Dr. Gretchen Green, Panamanian businessman and former US ambassador Jaime Aleman, entrepreneur Jesse Williams and aerospace CEO Mark Rocket.
A Put-in-Bay Mainstay Who's Dreamt Of Space His Whole Life
Paul is a real estate developer and entrepreneur. Inspired by his NASA engineer father, he grew fascinated with space at a young age. He spent his childhood summers on Florida’s Space Coast, watching historic Apollo, Shuttle, Mariner, Voyager, and Viking launches. Driven by a passion for exploration, Jeris has visited more than 149 countries, aiming to see every nation. Despite his many adventures, his lifelong dream is to journey to space and witness Earth’s fragile beauty from above. In addition to his professional ventures, Paul actively serves on several local and regional tourism boards, giving back to the travel industry that has helped shape his life.
What's In Store For Paul's Blue Origin Flight
If you want a glimpse into what will go into Paul’s flight with Blue Origin, here’s a couple of great videos you can check out. There’s a tour of the launch site from Blue Origin, video from Coby Cotton of Dude Perfect who went up with NS-22, and an Amazon special on William Shatner’s trip aboard NS-18!
Official Blue Origin Launch Site Tour: YOUTUBE
Coby from Dude Perfect Goes To Space on Blue Origin: YOUTUBE
Shatner in Space: AMAZON
Paul's Put-in-Bay Ties Run Deep
Paul has been a member of the Put-in-Bay community for decades. He built the Island Club development and the Put-in-Bay Condos, which have hosted tens of thousands of visitors over the years. He’s also the owner of the putinbay.com family of websites, including this one! These sites host the Put-in-Bay webcams, which he was instrumental in negotiating and getting installed, and maintaining to this day. Those webcams have been viewed over 5 million times, including the ones atop Perry’s Monument, with great thanks to the National Parks Service! He’s a member of the Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce and one of the island’s most visible tourism promoters, via his live videos on the Put-in-Bay Island Guide Facebook page, which has over 150 thousands followers and receives millions of views monthly.
He’s involved in Put-in-Bay golf cart rentals as well. Paul also co-owns the Put-in-Bay Golf Cart Depot with his Miller Lite drinking buddy Ed Fitzgerald, or as he’s known around the Bay, Mr. Ed himself of Mr. Ed’s Bar. You could even say that Paul has “written the book on Put-in-Bay”! His travel guide and coupon book 101 Things To Do At Put-in-Bay was published earlier this year, and can be purchased on Amazon. Paul splits his time between Put-in-Bay and Middleburg Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. As far as we know, Paul Jeris will be the first astronaut from Cleveland, Ohio, and we’re almost 100% sure he’ll be Put-in-Bay’s!
Blue Origin's New Shepard Will Be Taking PIB Paul To Space
Blue Origin is a private aerospace company dedicated to developing innovative technologies for space travel and exploration. Founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the company’s mission is to enable millions of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth. Headquartered in Kent, Washington, Blue Origin focuses on building a future where access to space is more affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
The company’s key projects include the New Shepard suborbital launch vehicle, designed for space tourism and scientific research, and the New Glenn orbital rocket, engineered to support a wide range of commercial and government missions. Blue Origin is also a leading partner in NASA’s Artemis program, contributing its expertise to develop a human landing system for returning astronauts to the Moon.
Known for its emphasis on reusable rocket technology, Blue Origin seeks to reduce the cost of spaceflight and minimize its environmental impact. The company operates several testing and launch facilities across the United States, including sites in Texas, Florida, and Alabama.
With a growing portfolio of commercial, scientific, and governmental partnerships, Blue Origin is playing a key role in shaping the next era of space access and exploration. Through innovation and long-term vision, the company is helping to expand humanity’s presence beyond Earth’s orbit.
Civilian Space Travel Across the Kármán Line
Over the decades, astronaut training evolved alongside advancements in spacecraft technology. By the 1980s, reusable systems like NASA’s Space Shuttle expanded mission capabilities and made longer, more frequent trips possible. However, spaceflight remained a domain reserved for a select few—until recent developments in commercial space travel began to shift the paradigm.
In the 21st century, private companies, such as Blue Origin, have opened the door to civilian spaceflight. Their focus on reusable launch systems and reduced costs has made suborbital and orbital missions more accessible to researchers, tourists, and private entities.
A defining boundary in spaceflight is the Kármán line, located at an altitude of 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level. It is widely recognized as the edge of space, where traditional aerodynamic flight becomes impossible due to the thinning atmosphere. Crossing the Kármán line marks a significant milestone for any space mission, symbolizing humanity’s transition from Earthbound travel to true space exploration.
About Put-in-Bay Ohio
Located just a short drive away from Cleveland, Put-in-Bay Ohio brings the Midwest region of The United States together. Nicknamed “Key West of the North” for its island vibes and Caribbean feel, the island entertains over 750,000 guests during its tourist season. Home to unique Put-in-Bay resorts and many spacious island home rentals, spending a few nights on the island relaxes the spirit.
Put-in-Bay Ohio is rich in history dating back to The War of 1812 featuring Oliver Hazard Perry and his influence on the Battle of Lake Erie. Today, instead of ships we have golf cart rentals! The island serves as the best summer vacation spot in the Midwest. Downtown Put-in-Bay features dozens of local restaurants, parks like DeRivera Park, and a booming nightlife.
One Giant Step For Put-in-Bay!
As Put-in-Bay Paul prepares for his journey with Blue Origin’s New Shepard-32, he’s not only fulfilling a lifelong dream but also proudly representing our little island community. As he prepares to witness Earth from above, he’ll be partaking in an experience few will ever have, and those who have say without fail that it’s life-changing. The Put-in-Bay community will have its eyes on the sky in a couple of weeks, as Put-in-Bay Paul takes flight. And once he’s returned to terra firma, we’ll let you know everything he has to say about his experience right here on putinbayohio.com!