Meet the Founder

I'm a retired firefighter, a flight attendant, and a guy who learned early that the best stories come from showing up—whether that's for your community, your family, or the next city on the map.

The Foundation

Born in Bellville, Texas, and raised in Prairie View, Texas—where my dad was a tenured professor at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU)—I learned early what it means to work hard and treat people right.

In 1998, I earned my Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), my HBCU home. That degree wasn't just a credential. PVAMU gave me community, culture, and a deeper respect for legacy. It taught me how to lead, how to think, and how to stand on something bigger than myself.

22 Years of Service

After college, I spent 22 years with the Houston Fire Department. I retired on July 3, 2022.

That job shaped me in ways I'm still unpacking. It taught me discipline, calm under pressure, and what it really means to serve people on their worst day. Every shift, every call, every brother and sister I worked alongside—that's what built the foundation for everything I do now.

From the Ground to the Sky

In June 2022, I became a flight attendant with a major U.S. airline. And I don't take that lightly. Out of 100,000 applicants, I was one of the few hired. Now I get to work in the sky, meet people from everywhere, and see the world in a way I never imagined when I was growing up in Prairie View.

That access—to layovers in every Delta destination, to real conversations with travelers, to seeing how people move through the world—that's the fuel for RetiredTraveler.

Why RetiredTraveler Exists

I launched an eCommerce business because I believed in the products and the mission. But I learned a hard lesson: building something solo while managing demand, inventory, and customer expectations can burn you out fast. I had to step back and ask myself: What do I actually want to build?

The answer came from my audience. Even during the chaos, people kept telling me they followed my journey on Facebook. They liked the way I shared REAL life—travel, work, family, the behind-the-scenes of building something. They didn't want hype. They wanted honesty.

That's what RetiredTraveler is: a space for authentic travel stories, curated gear that actually solves problems, and lessons from someone who's lived a few different chapters and is still learning. Explore the destinations I've visited so far.

Meet Scout the Travel Mouse

By bringing Scout to life, I get to share the journey without making it about my face in every frame. Scout IS the brand. Scout IS the voice. And Scout gets to have fun with travel in a way that feels authentic to me—through storytelling, real destinations, and the discoveries that matter.

It's a win-win: you get a memorable character to follow, and I get to build something that doesn't require me to be camera-ready 24/7. That's the kind of freedom RetiredTraveler is all about.

What You'll Find Here

• Real travel guides from destinations I've actually visited (layovers, family trips, slow travel moments)
• Curated travel products tested and recommended by someone who travels for work
• Behind-the-wing insights from a flight attendant's perspective
• Cultural stories and community spotlights (especially Black history and PVAMU legacy)
• Practical tips for moving through the world smarter, not faster
• Scout's adventures and discoveries across every destination we explore

The Goal (Me + My Wife)

I'm newly married, and we have a clear vision: we want to live abroad while I continue working with Delta. Not just vacation abroad—actually LIVE there. Build a life we're proud of. Stay connected to family. And create income that gives us freedom to do it.

RetiredTraveler is part of that plan. It's how I share the journey, build community, and create opportunities that don't require me to be in one place to make it work.

How You Can Be Part of This

If you believe in real travel stories and products that actually work, here's how to support the mission:

• Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to see Scout's latest adventures
• Drop a comment when something hits you—tell me what travel problems YOU need solved
• Shop the curated gear when you're ready to upgrade your travel setup
• Share posts with travelers in your life who need real solutions
• Share posts with travelers in your life who need real solutions
• Come back for the next city guide, the next product drop, the next Scout discovery

This is a community project. I'm building it with people like you who want travel that's honest, helpful, and human.

Let's Go 💜💛

If you're ready to travel different—with real stories, real products, and real culture—you're in the right spot. Let's build this together.