The InstigatorTravis Gordon, owner of Gordon Driving School, is all about teaching us how to get around Salem by car or on foot. You may have seen his videos on social media that highlight traffic rules we may have forgotten or remind us to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. A Salem native, he’s spent his adult life ensuring both students and trainers are well-equipped to drive and to teach others to drive.
Travis takes his passion for driving beyond Salem, serving as a senior member representing the West Region on the American Driver and Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) board of directors. He trained the trainers at Western Oregon University for many years, and has taught driver’s education since 2014. After teaching thousands of students to drive, Travis jokes: “I am partially to blame for how people drive on the roads around here.”
Travis is just as passionate about getting around town on foot. He sits on the board of directors for the Willamette Valley Road Runners, a nonprofit running club that raises money to buy shoes for youth, provide scholarships, and support local track teams. Throughout the year, the organization hosts seven races. When not teaching, he is training for Ironman 70.3, which takes place in Salem in July. Travis also stays involved in the community through his membership with the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
Now that we have met Travis, let’s stop, switch lanes, and read what drives this wheelman in his own words.
What is your favorite thing about Salem? My favorite thing about Salem is the people. When I’m out and about, I love seeing familiar faces. It makes the city feel smaller in the best way. There’s a real sense of connection here, and it feels like the community is getting stronger, which is what makes it a great place to be. It’s also exciting to see new things popping up around town that continue to bring people together.
What is your favorite thing to do in Salem? My favorite thing to do in Salem is get out and explore the local food scene. I like bouncing around to a few different spots and running into familiar faces along the way. So many great places around town are locally owned and operated. What makes it even better is you can actually meet the owners and chefs at many of them. It makes going back and trying something new way more fun. More people need to get out and try these places. Support local so we can keep these great spots around.
What is your favorite car? 1976 Corvette Stingray. It looks good at every angle and in every color.
If you were to meet your 16-year-old self, what would you tell him? I’d tell him to be confident, stop being so shy, and just be yourself. That same confidence you have with your friends is already there, so let it show everywhere else. I used to get nervous meeting new people and wouldn’t want to talk much, but that changed once I started trusting myself and putting myself out there. I love meeting new people and building relationships now. That really came from realizing that being yourself and having confidence will naturally lead you to more friends and better connections.
What is on your driving playlist? Mostly Cali reggae or reggae rock. Songs with good vibes, upbeat feel, melodic choruses that are easy to sing along with, and keep things chill.
What is the best advice you have received? Most people aren’t paying nearly as much attention to you as you think, so don’t be afraid of being judged or failing in front of people. Do what you think is right. Do what you want to do. Take the risk and be ready to fail. Everyone fails. They’re focused on their own lives, not yours. And if someone is paying that much attention to what you’re doing, you’ve probably gained a new fan, good or bad.
What outdated slang do you use on a regular basis? I for sure say “forsure” a lot. Not sure if that’s outdated these days, but I’m still using it.
What is your secret talent? Do you know that scene in Hook where Thud Butt rolls down the stairs and takes out a bunch of pirates? He basically turns himself into a human cannonball. It’s hilarious and awesome at the same time. When I was a kid, I taught myself how to do that, and I can still do it today. I can continuously do somersaults and just keep going… and I can do them pretty fast too!
What do you believe is the least followed traffic rule? I think the obvious answer is speeding. Most people don’t even think they’re breaking the law when they’re going 4 to 5 over the posted speed limit, but they are. Will you likely get pulled over? No. But it’s still breaking the law, and pretty much everyone does it.
What is one of your favorite childhood memories? One of my favorite childhood memories is spending long summer days outside with my friends and neighbors, playing until it got dark. I grew up on a cul-de-sac with so many kids that there was always enough for a game, and when everyone was out, it turned into huge games of capture the flag. We played everything from basketball, Wiffle ball, roller hockey, kickball, football, and whatever else we came up with.
Where would you go on your dream vacation? I’d go to Japan. There are so many cool things to do there. I’d definitely have to visit the theme parks, eat all the amazing food, hike some incredible mountains, and see the monkeys. It just seems like there are endless cool adventures there.
Tacos or nachos? Great nachos beat a good taco, but a great taco is hard to beat.
Vampires or zombies? Vampires. I’m not embarrassed to say I went to a couple of the midnight premieres for The Twilight Saga movies. Back when you’d line up around the theater waiting to see the most anticipated releases of the year. Now you’re probably asking yourself, Team Jacob or Team Edward? C’mon, no, Team Alice all the way.
Apple or Android? Apple. Some of my earliest memories involve playing on an Apple Macintosh computer when I was just four or five years old. I remember playing some pretty random games, but that’s where my love of Tetris and chess started at an early age. They’re still two of my favorite games today. If we’re talking phones though, I’d go back to BlackBerry before I use a phone that has Android!
DC or Marvel Comics? Marvel Comics. I used to collect comics from all publishers, but Marvel Comics was always my favorite. They have the better heroes, like Iron Man. One of my most prized possessions is an Iron Man #1 signed by Stan Lee. It was graded and hidden away. I still can’t believe I own it.
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 28 (Summer 2026)
We run on coffee, curiosity, and community. Fuel our next story (and our next cup) by supporting Press Play Salem. 
buymeacoffee.com/pressplaysalem
Carlee Wright
