Named in honor of REI’s founders Lloyd and Mary Anderson, the Anderson Award celebrates our tradition and acknowledges distinctive workers. Award recipients exhibit our values, assist us obtain success, foster nice groups and buyer experiences, and have enjoyable whereas they’re at it.
This Anderson Award interview collection highlights a gaggle of 5-6 award recipients in their very own phrases. Examine again right here weekly for extra interviews as they’re printed. To be taught extra in regards to the Anderson Award, try our protection of the 21st Anderson Award Occasion and browse the complete listing of award recipients right here. Congratulations to all!
Aaron Duarte, he/him, Transport/Receiving Lead, Grand Junction, CO
Probably the most memorable experiences of my life has been transferring to Colorado. I’ve been right here for a bit of over 13 years and have lived in 4 completely different components of the state. Residing right here has opened the door to a number of experiences and alternatives: path operating, mountain biking, snowboarding, floating the river, beer consuming. I even had the chance to attempt cross-country snowboarding not too long ago, which was difficult and enjoyable. One of many nice issues about residing in Colorado is that the alternatives are limitless. I might say that I by no means go anyplace with out my mountain bike… however in reality, my path runners find yourself coming with me as a rule. They’re straightforward to journey with and may get me exterior faster than most actions. However my true must-have merchandise? My pals. Pals can encourage us and carry us up after we’re feeling down, assist us to see our strengths and push us to realize our objectives. Every single day my pals encourage me to be a greater particular person by displaying me kindness, compassion and understanding. In addition they typically encourage me to attempt new issues and discover new concepts. My pals regularly encourage me to develop, be taught and be my greatest self.
Aaron Foster, he/him, Gross sales Lead, Denver, CO
My favourite method to spend time exterior is being within the backcountry round Jones Move, snowboarding with my son. Watching him develop and expertise all of the issues that I really like in addition to the issues that he discovers, at all times hold me analyzing the journey of life. I’ve a gaggle of pals I’ve identified for 25 years. We went to the Misplaced Surprise Hut collectively within the Sawatch Vary for a number of years in a row. Snowboarding the backcountry of Colorado—sharing time collectively, having fun with nice meals, and surroundings—has been probably the most memorable experiences of my life. I’ve a large number of things that I carry on my adventures. The 2 issues I at all times carry, although, are my very own sense of journey and an open thoughts to no matter might come my method. Being adaptable and open to new experiences are very important to each journey. In the case of work, I’ve been lucky that virtually each day I work is a good day. Partaking in a significant method with the purchasers I get to see; sharing data and information with coworkers; and main my crew make up the important thing parts of an important day at REI.
Abbey Churchill, she/her, Gross sales Lead, Vernon Hills, IL
One among my most memorable outside experiences occurred simply earlier than I graduated from faculty: I took a two-week geography course in South Africa. Two professors, three different college students and I traveled in a small van from Cape City, across the winding shoreline, into the Drakensberg Mountains after which as much as Johannesburg as we studied the cultural and bodily geography of the nation. Nearer to dwelling, my favourite outside exercise is tenting. I really feel my most like myself once I can simply calm down and unwind in nature. One among my favourite tenting journeys was an evening I spent in Washington’s Olympic Nationwide Park. This 12 months I began the 52 Hike Problem for the primary time. I completely love how a lot it has gotten me out to new locations, particularly throughout the winter months once I usually need to hibernate. It’s wonderful how a lot you’ll be able to adapt the problem to suit the wants of you or your crew. I’m additionally a member of Ladies Who Hike, solo feminine journey teams and I observe feminine influencers on social media. The ladies and allies in these social teams each empower me and encourage me to work towards creating safer areas for girls within the outside. At REI I’ve actually loved educating courses, particularly beginner-level ones, as a result of I’ve the chance to encourage and assist clients put together for his or her subsequent (or typically first) journey. Whether or not you’re going with your loved ones for the primary time, or going solo, it’s so essential to really feel welcome within the outside.
Ace Henricks, he/him, Retail Gross sales Specialist, Colorado Springs, CO
My largest sources of inspiration are my older sister, Hannah, and her associate, Adam. They helped me uncover a love for the outside a number of years in the past and so they launched me to the entire thought of the Co-op. The best way they benefit from the outside responsibly and have lived a really balanced life conjures up me to do the identical. An excellent day at work for me includes serving to visitors accomplish their outside objectives throughout the outfitting course of, but additionally is once I nonetheless discover time to benefit from the crew ambiance that REI cultivates. I like the combo every day brings—laughs and in-depth conversations with common clients, but additionally interactions with people who find themselves visiting us for the primary time. After I’m not at work I prefer to be anyplace I can get some contemporary air, particularly climbing within the Rocky Mountains close to the Continental Divide. You’ll at all times discover me with my Leatherman multitool which serves a goal on on a regular basis strolls and multi-day backpacks. One sport I’ve been shocked to seek out myself having fun with not too long ago is trail-running, after having a really love/hate relationship with operating again in highschool and faculty once I was taking part in ball sports activities, and when operating was framed as a method to an finish. When it comes to best-ever experiences, visiting Torres Del Paine in Chilean Patagonia with my associate throughout the Summer season Equinox tops the listing. The solar didn’t set till after 10 p.m.!
Adam Bernardini, he/him, Gross sales Lead, Boulder, CO
Right here’s my imaginative and prescient of an important day at REI: I bike into work on a heat, sunny day. As soon as I arrive, it’s busy sufficient within the retailer that I may also help all forms of clients, younger and previous. I make significant connections all through the day and assist folks get every thing they should really feel totally outfitted. I additionally educate them how one can recreate safely in order that they have a tremendous expertise within the outside. Persons are fairly inspiring. My largest supply of inspiration is folks with disabilities who overcome their challenges to realize what folks mentioned they couldn’t do. I really feel it’s everybody’s accountability to provide their all—to provide their greatest each day, in each method—as a result of some folks can’t, or aren’t as fortunate as others. So, it’s essential to take advantage of life, and likewise take advantage of your job, given the items and alternatives you’ve been given. After I’m not on the job, I like to do nearly something that will get me exterior. My favourite exercise, although, is backpacking/tenting in Colorado with my canine and anybody who needs to affix. My pocket knife at all times comes with me; it’s bought a thousand makes use of. Maybe my most memorable outside expertise, although, was summiting Washington’s Mount Rainier with my older brother.
Aletha Meade, she/her, PA Receiving Clerk-D, Distribution Heart – PA
My default method to get exterior is to go for a stroll across the close by Penn State College Campus. I take pleasure in watching the fish and geese swimming within the pond and seeing the turtles pop up often as nicely. I additionally love a very good guide, with a guide gentle. Studying appeals to me as a result of I like how engaged my thoughts turns into in no matter world I’m studying about on the time. An excellent guide permits you to use your creativeness and briefly escape from day-to-day troubles. I additionally am an enormous fan of studying whereas consuming ceremonial-grade matcha tea; I completely love the tea. However my largest supply of inspiration is the Good Ebook—the Bible.It’s my go-to supply for consolation and knowledge, particularly if I’m feeling down. I actually consider it’s the source-book for all times. There have been just a few different main influences and moments in my life. One was becoming a member of the U.S. Military. One other was the start of my women. After I take into consideration work, I believe how teamwork is paramount for our success. I like to see it when my co-workers and I be part of collectively as a crew to help one another to assist no matter space within the Receiving Dept. could also be having struggles that day.
