2021 Zenith Spirit Award

At the Visit Duluth Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 4, the 2021 Zenith Spirit Award was presented to Steve Rankila, Director of Internal Operations at the DECC. Nearing 26 years at the DECC, Rankila has been tasked with operating the venue’s attractions, including the Duluth Omnimax, Lake Superior Tug, and the USCG Cutter Sundew. Most recently, Rankila has managed the William A. Irvin - and captaining the floating museum through COVID-19 was no easy task. Rankila coordinated getting the ship operational for clean, safe, self-guided tours with just seven days notice.