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 sequence highlights a bunch of 5-6 award recipients in their very own phrases. Verify again right here weekly for extra interviews as they’re revealed. To study extra concerning the Anderson Award, try our protection of the 21st Anderson Award Occasion and skim the complete listing of award recipients right here. Congratulations to all!
Aaron Duarte, he/him, Delivery/Receiving Lead, Grand Junction, CO
One of the vital memorable experiences of my life has been shifting to Colorado. I’ve been right here for a little bit over 13 years and have lived in 4 completely different elements 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 strive cross-country snowboarding not too long ago, which was difficult and enjoyable. One of many nice issues about dwelling in Colorado is that the alternatives are countless. 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 simple to journey with and may get me outdoors faster than most actions. However my true must-have merchandise? My pals. Buddies can encourage us and carry us up once we’re feeling down, assist us to see our strengths and push us to attain our objectives. Daily my pals encourage me to be a greater particular person by exhibiting me kindness, compassion and understanding. In addition they usually encourage me to strive new issues and discover new concepts. My pals regularly encourage me to develop, study and be my greatest self.
Aaron Foster, he/him, Gross sales Lead, Denver, CO
My favourite approach to spend time outdoors is being within the backcountry round Jones Cross, snowboarding with my son. Watching him develop and expertise all of the issues that I like in addition to the issues that he discovers, at all times hold me inspecting the journey of life. I’ve a bunch of pals I’ve recognized for 25 years. We went to the Misplaced Marvel 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 one of the crucial 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 important to each journey. In the case of work, I’ve been lucky that virtually every single day I work is a good day. Participating in a significant method with the shoppers I get to see; sharing info and information with coworkers; and main my workforce make up the important thing elements of an incredible day at REI.
Abbey Churchill, she/her, Gross sales Lead, Vernon Hills, IL
One in every of 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 residence, my favourite outside exercise is tenting. I really feel my most like myself after I can simply calm down and unwind in nature. One in every of 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 in the course of the winter months after I sometimes need to hibernate. It’s superb 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 ladies within the outside. At REI I’ve actually loved educating lessons, 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 they usually launched me to the entire thought of the Co-op. The way in which they benefit from the outside responsibly and have lived a really balanced life evokes me to do the identical. day at work for me entails serving to friends accomplish their outside objectives in the course of the outfitting course of, but in addition is after I nonetheless discover time to benefit from the workforce ambiance that REI cultivates. I like the combo every day brings—laughs and in-depth conversations with common clients, but in addition interactions with people who find themselves visiting us for the primary time. After I’m not at work I wish to be anyplace I can get some recent air, particularly mountain climbing within the Rocky Mountains close to the Continental Divide. You’ll at all times discover me with my Leatherman multitool which serves a objective on on a regular basis strolls and multi-day backpacks. One sport I’ve been stunned to search 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 after I was enjoying 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 in the course of the Summer time 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 incredible 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 individuals get every thing they should really feel absolutely outfitted. I additionally educate them learn how to recreate safely in order that they have an incredible expertise within the outside. Individuals are fairly inspiring. My largest supply of inspiration is individuals with disabilities who overcome their challenges to attain what individuals mentioned they couldn’t do. I really feel it’s everybody’s duty to provide their all—to provide their greatest every single day, in each method—as a result of some individuals can’t, or will not be as fortunate as others. So, it’s essential to benefit from life, and in addition benefit from 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 outdoors. My favourite exercise, although, is backpacking/tenting in Colorado with my canine and anybody who desires to affix. My pocket knife at all times comes with me; it’s acquired 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 Middle – PA
My default approach to get outdoors 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 sometimes as effectively. I additionally love a very good e book, with a e book mild. 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. e book lets you use your creativeness and quickly escape from day-to-day troubles. I additionally am a giant fan of studying whereas consuming ceremonial-grade matcha tea; I completely love the tea. However my largest supply of inspiration is the Good Guide—the Bible.It’s my go-to supply for consolation and knowledge, particularly if I’m feeling down. I actually imagine it’s the source-book for all times. There have been a number of different main influences and moments in my life. One was becoming a member of the U.S. Military. One other was the delivery of my ladies. 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 workforce to assist one another to assist no matter space within the Receiving Dept. could also be having struggles that day.