by Lucas Potts
At the Institute, the Rockefeller Ethic guides most of our work, encouraging collaborative problem solving, respectful dialogue, and a diversity of opinions that spark positive change and lasting impact. Our team lives out this ethic daily by embracing our five Core Values:
- Believe the Mission
- See the Possibilities
- Focus on We, Not Me
- Do the Right Thing
- Have Fun!
To celebrate one another, employees nominate their coworkers each quarter for Core Value Awards, and each year senior leadership honors one of those recipients with the Legacy Award, a special recognition for the teammate (and in this year’s case, teammates) who have most fully embodied the Core Values and the Rockefeller Ethic throughout the fiscal year. For 2024, the winners are Will, Jimmy, and John Tindell.
With a combined tenure of almost 140 years, nobody has quite the same amount of time on the mountain as they do individually, and definitely not together.
“I was surprised and amazed, really,” John said.
Will added, “I was surprised and honored.”
“I was taken aback,” Jimmy said, “As soon as [Janet Harris] said three brothers, I knew what was up,” he jokingly added.
“These three guys, sometimes I don’t even know what they’re doing or where they’re at, because I don’t have to. They always come up here ready to do whatever they need, and it’s a pleasure to have them.”
Lance Oakley, Director of Maintenance & Construction
“Will, John, and Jimmy Tindell have dedicated their entire adult lives to maintaining this beautiful property here on the mountain. They have been through many different organizations and leaders over the years, and their dedication has always been to this place, to taking care of it and maintaining its appearance. That is the legacy they leave, and it’s one we are proud to celebrate. I am grateful to the Tindells for their gift of service to the Institute and for the way that they model loyalty and hard work.”
Janet Harris, Executive Director/CEO
“The Tindell brothers have taken care of the grounds of our campus for 40-plus years. Their dedication and hard work are great examples for all other staff at the Institute.”
Shawn Cathey, Chief Financial Officer
While all the Tindells have over four decades of experience here, Will was the first to start among them. He holds a unique position, being the only staff member to have been present during the property’s time as Winrock Farms, as he began in January 1973, just a month before the governor’s passing. He spoke about the transition between the Farms and Winrock International. He had been put on severance pay some time after the governor’s passing, but was later brought on for seasonal work during the winter at the Rockefeller Estate, where he mixed cement. By Spring, Winrock International offered him a job mowing on the main property again.
Jimmy and John started in 1981. “Well, we’ve seen a lot of people come and go up here through the years, and there’ve been lots of changes,” Jimmy said. “When I think back, I can remember all of their faces and usually their names if we were around each other very much.” They all agreed that two of those faces had been mentors credited with helping shape their work ethic over the years.
They spoke at length about Doyle Taylor and A.J. Ward, the carpenter and plumber, respectively, at that time. They mentioned how hardworking and influential they were. “Doyle taught me how to drive,” John said. “Our boss at that time found out I couldn’t drive and said, ‘You’re gonna learn to,’ and he assigned Doyle to teach me.”
Working With Family and Beyond
Taylor and Ward actually went to G.I. school with the Tindells’ father. A fact they stressed the importance of, as the topic of family arose, and how it influenced their approach to work. While there are three of them on staff, they actually have six other siblings to claim. They all agreed that things went well in terms of working with the family.
“We try to get along and work together,” Will said. “That’s the only way you can exist with a big family, and that’s the way our parents raised us.”
While on the subject of family, Jimmy brought up that the Perryville medical clinic, where he was born, was actually funded by Winthrop (one of his many philanthropic endeavors). “I was born at three o’clock that morning, and who’d have thought that I’d come up and work up here?” he said.
Speaking of the governor, John noted what a fortune it had been to work here through the years. “Well, I reckon we’re living here on the Governor’s dream, and we’re still carrying out some of it,” he said. “Well, this is where we made our livings, and if the Governor hadn’t been here, who knows what we would be doing.”
Life Outside of Work
The brothers are known to play just as hard as they work — literally. All three of them have a musical inclination. “I play banjo, a ballad harp, and a harmonica,” John said. “Will knows how to play the dulcimer”.
Jimmy joked, “I can play the radio”. John chimed in, however, and vouched for Jimmy’s harmonica skills.
Jimmy and Will both spoke about their love for getting “work” (even though they don’t consider it that) done around their properties, whether gardening or, in Will’s case, running his sawmill.
They also enjoy almost every kind of hunting there is (except duck hunting), and John is an avid reader, always on the lookout for new books and series to dive into.
