Captain Kevin Stier
1600-ton Master of Great Lakes and Inland Waterways
6th issue
Captain Kevin Stier began working on the Julia Belle Swain for the late Captain Dennis Trone, one of the original members of the PVA. He piloted the Julia Belle Swain, the Talisman and the Riverboat Twilight, which he was instrumental in the construction.
Captain Stier also spent thirteen years working for Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque, Iowa as Marine Director. In 2006, he and his wife Carrie purchased the Twilight and continued operations on the Upper Mississippi river between the Quad-Cities and Dubuque, Iowa.
Their son Jacob has worked as a deckhand since he was in 8th grade and has just earned his Riverboat pilot’s license. Their daughter Emily has held almost every position aboard the boat (except pilot) and continues to work behind the scenes at their office in Illinois.
In the off season, Captain Kevin loves traveling. This past winter, he snowmobiled in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and hiked up the mountains in Iceland. He also enjoys dabbling in his various hobbies that include but are not limited to: marble-making, woodworking, glass-melting, and gun-collecting. Aside from breezy, sunny days in the pilot house, Captain Kevin’s picture of paradise would be relaxing outside in a hammock with a bowl of homemade pie and ice cream.
Make sure you stop up in the pilot house and pay him a visit during your cruise. He loves telling and hearing good stories and he may even let you steer the boat!
Captain Stier currently holds a 1600-ton Master of Great Lakes and Inland Waterways on its 5th issue. He was recently appointed by the Jo Daviess County Board as a member of the Upper Mississippi River International Port District.
Captain Stier is a long serving member of the PVA having spent a number of years on the Board of Directors as well as chairing the Regulatory Committee; he has most recently held the positions of Secretary Treasurer and Vice President.