A native Georgian who grew up in the Atlanta suburb of Decatur, Gerald received a BBA from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!) and then signed up for three years of service as an artillery officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. Along the way, he achieved his MBA from the University of Tampa and went to work for companies such as Coca-Cola Enterprises and Genuine Parts Company.

If you cross-checked Capital Investment Advisors’ client list with a roster of extraordinary citizens who stand out in their respective communities, there would be plenty of overlap. Today’s spotlight shines on one such happy retiree—Chris Jones. Born in Alma, the blueberry capital of Georgia, his first job was as a high school radio DJ, which led to a stint as a news and sports reporter. In what he now refers to as a forty-year detour, he spent most of his career in corporate public affairs. Retiring from that world of politics and legislation in 2015 finally freed him up to rediscover his journalistic roots.

Our job is to help retirees find happiness. When​​ they do, we celebrate the news to help inspire others to pursue their core pursuits. Today, the spotlight is on Kyle and Russ. Kyle is a retired English professor. Russ mostly retired from IT management and Process Improvement in 2016 but maintains a small portfolio of consulting work to minimize nest egg withdrawals. With their newfound freedom, they decided to hop in a convertible Mustang and head west for a month-long, unforgettable road trip to visit family in the West Coast and complete the California Coast Highway.

Retirement often marks the end of a career, but for Jerry and his wife Cherie, it was the beginning of something extraordinary—a chance to turn their lifelong dreams into unforgettable experiences. From dogsledding in Norway, chasing Atlantic puffins under Iceland’s misty skies to marveling at wild bears in the heart of Mount Rainier, their adventures remind us all that retirement is not only a retreat but a launchpad.

Lisa retired from the Bell System in 2006 and Dallas a year later, timing that was influenced by an early package offer after the “new” AT&T  bought out the company. No longer tied to their desks, they jumped at an invitation from their daughter Candice for an Italian adventure. Candice and her husband Collins had honeymooned there nearly 20 years prior and had always wanted to return with Dallas and Lisa.

Retiring after a successful career as a chemical coating sales representative and over 30 years in healthcare management, Lloyd and Vickie were ready to get started on their core pursuits: community service and leadership. The two moved to Lake Oconee near Greensboro, Georgia. Wasting no time, Lloyd became Homeowners Association (HOA) President of their new community and then joined the Greene County Volunteer Fire Department, where he spent a decade ensuring the safety and well-being of his neighbors.

When it comes to traveling, Elayne and Randy prefer outdoor settings and enjoy hiking, so the national parks were a natural fit. The idea to visit them all came on a whim, and they said, “Why not?” The freedom to make that choice is one of the benefits of a happy and financially secure retirement.

We’ve all got that dream that’s been creepin’ and crawlin’ around in the back of our minds for years. Perhaps it’s something we’ve always wanted to do but never got the chance or had the nerve.

There’s a ubiquitous saying in American culture: If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Ingrid Reckard didn’t want to beat ‘em, but she certainly joined ‘em.