This Company Is Looking for a 'Chief Retirement Officer' to Scout 'Relaxing Locations' Across the U.S. — Here's How to Apply Joel Holland left the corporate burnout track — and wants to help others do the same.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- More than 50% of Americans hope to live to 100 but have financial anxiety about outlasting their savings.
- The median retirement savings balance for people between the ages of 55 and 64 is $185,000.
More than half of Americans hope to live to 100, yet 55% are also worried about running out of money at some point, according to a survey from financial services firm Corebridge Financial. It's a valid concern, considering that the median retirement savings balance for people between the ages of 55 and 64 is $185,000, per NerdWallet.
Despite the desire for a long and comfortable retirement and the increasing popularity of the FIRE (financial independence, retire early) movement, the reality is that many Americans are a ways off from that goal — and stuck in corporate America until they reach it.
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"Many employees' demanding workloads and extended work hours cause physical and mental exhaustion," says Joel Holland, CEO of Harvest Hosts, a membership program and provider of private RV camping options. "The competitive spirit of corporate America amplifies the pressure employees feel to perform and constantly make themselves available."
Image Credit: Courtesy of Harvest Hosts. Joel Holland.
Holland experienced the trials of burnout firsthand when he lived in Washington, D.C. Despite "working in a fun environment alongside a great team," the 9-5 "grind" and traffic-ridden commute took a toll. That's why he and his wife decided to live in an RV for several months, traveling around the country to discover "hidden gems."
One of those gems was Harvest Hosts. "I had the chance to stay at incredible locations, from wineries to alpaca farms," Holland recalls. "Seeing how these experiences enriched our RV experience made it clear that Harvest Hosts would be my next step."
Related: A Modern Retirement Mindset: Elevate Meaning and Purpose By Becoming 'Job Optional'
So Holland bought the company in 2018 and has served as its CEO since, implementing a "results-driven" approach that allows employees to remain fully remote and flexible.
Now, Harvest Hosts is in search of a Chief Retirement Officer (CRO) who will hit the road to scout "the best of retirement life — the best early bird dinner deals across the country, top rest stops, most relaxing locations, nap spots and more," Holland says. They'll share those findings with Harvest Hosts' thousands of members to help them discover the best deals and destinations across North America.
"While RVing is historically thought of as a retirement passion, we see that RVers still have so much energy to explore and knowledge to share throughout the RV community," Holland explains. "In creating this role, we wanted to give someone the opportunity to ditch their desk and embrace the untethered life on the road and all the joys that come from seeing the country from an RV."
According to Holland, the search for Harvest Hosts' CRO is going well; the company's received nearly 100 applications from a wide range of candidates, including a former campground owner, nurse, attorney, teacher, IT engineer, accountant, air traffic controller, nanny and more.
Interested in being hired to retire? Harvest Hosts is looking for candidates who "love road trips and relaxation" and are 30 years or older with a valid U.S. driver's license. Read more about the benefits and submit your "creative resignation letter and photos" to apply for the role here.
