A retired Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executive assistant director decided to get back into the workforce. Michael Mason worked with the bureau for 23 years before leaving in 2007. Mason told WTVR  during his tenure with the FBI,  “about half of the FBI fell under me. And I was, just for context, I was fourth on the FBI’s food chain.”

Now Mason is a bus driver, a decision he made after learning about the shortage of drivers in Chesterfield County, Virginia while watching the news.

“When the pandemic struck there were so many people that were doing so many extra things. People like you who still have to get out here. People like grocery store workers, people like telecommunications workers. All kinds of folks who still had to do their job,” Mason told the news station. “And I felt like I can be doing something to help in this post-pandemic recovery.”

Mason said he hopes that anyone who learns about his story will be inspired to get involved in their community. “Doing whatever they can do. I believe if all of us gave a little something, wow, how we could impact this world. How we could change this world” he said.

Mason explained his morning routines stating, “Before we start up the bus each morning, we do what’s called a pre-inspection.” He went on to say, “The thing that we want to primarily assure is that every kid is going to be safe on this bus.”

Although Mason has accomplished a lot throughout his career, he doesn’t downplay the work he’s doing as a bus driver.

“I’m probably one of the few bus drivers who has Turtle Wax in his kit back there, because my hood was so oxidized and I said, ‘Oh no. I can’t do that,’ ” he joked. “So, I am what I am. I’ve done some important things, but guess what? This is important, too,” he added.  Along with his career being an FBI executive assistant director, Mason worked also worked as a chief security officer for Verizon between 2008 to 2020 before retiring.

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