The Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Celebrates Two Employees with New Full-Time Awards

In 2024, the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation Leadership Team, in conjunction with the Executive Team, created a full-time employee award program. They created this program for three reasons:

• To recognize employees who demonstrate leadership qualities and values
• To use as incentives to enhance the TRMF’s ability to hire and retain staff
• To inspire employees to strive for excellence during their employment.

The Frontier Visionary Award recognizes an individual who demonstrates perseverance and innovation in connecting people to Historic Medora for positive life-changing experiences.

The Gold Spur of Values Award recognizes an individual who exemplifies dedication to one or more of TRMF’s values: Creating Fun, Respecting Our People and Places, Demonstrating an Ownership Mindset, Living with Gratitude, and Promoting Sales.

We are excited to announce the first recipients of these awards in 2025: Nicole Pinner, Volunteer Programs Director, will receive the Frontier Visionary Award, and Derek Tester, Senior Staff Accountant, will receive the Gold Spur of Values Award.

Nicole was recognized for managing a difficult and complex department, being resilient, and showing a work ethic that may be unmatched. She shows incredible dedication to the TRMF and, specifically, the volunteer department. Her perseverance and forward-thinking mindset align with the Frontier Visionary Award.

“Everyone says it, so it sounds cliche, but truly, my favorite part about living in Medora and working at TRMF is the people. From the day I arrived in town, I have felt welcomed and at home, which is not how it normally goes when you pick up your whole life and move across the country. The staff at TRMF, the donors, the volunteers, and the people who live in Medora all have such love for this place and pride in North Dakota. This feeling is infectious to everyone that comes through the city and leads most people to walk away saying that Medora is their “Happy Place”!
I am so grateful and appreciative to have been the recipient of this award because it is not every company that makes you feel cared about, seen, and appreciated for the work you do and the effort you put in. Amazingly, TRMF chose to create these awards to recognize their staff because we truly have such an amazing and hardworking group of people making such an impact on everyone that comes through this beautiful place we are lucky enough to call home.”

Derek was recognized for his high respect for people, which includes going above and beyond to help others. He may be the most patient person in our organization. His positive attitude fosters a culture of trust and collaboration. He is a member of the TRMF Fun Committee and a dedicated employee of the TRMF.

“I decided to move to Medora after my internship experience out here. It’s a combination of the healing beauty of the nature out here and the natural goodness in everyone you meet. Moving back to an area where individuals look out for their fellow man is a breath of fresh air after the experiences I had with larger city life. I am grateful for the award because it was unexpected. For me, it is an acknowledgment that I’m working towards living out our vision of “Connecting people to historic Medora for positive life-changing experiences” and succeeding in areas even when it feels like I am failing. I am also grateful because I know that I am not the sole reason for the award; it is a testament to the team of dedicated and talented colleagues that support and help to achieve the values of Fun, Ownership, Respect, Gratitude, and Sales in the work we do.”

To learn more about employment opportunities with the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation, visit medora.com/employment.