FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn.–Dan Stoltz, President and CEO of SPIRE Credit Union and King Boreas 79 of the 2015 St. Paul Winter Carnival, was appointed the 2016-2017 Minneapolis Aquatennial Commodore at the festival’s annual coronation event.
This is the first time in Aquatennial history that a King Boreas of St. Paul Winter Carnival, the winter festival in Minneapolis’ sister city, has served back-to-back.
Stoltz said he is honored and humbled to be selected. Having a genuine devotion to giving back, he talks frequently that life is about giving--not getting. In fact, Stoltz’s King Boreas crest and now his Commodore medal both have three letters---TTT--which stand for Time, Talent and Treasures. He believes strongly that everyone should give back in all three areas to enrich their communities and the lives of others.
“As Commodore, I look forward to going into the many communities that the Aquatennial is involved with and thanking key people who give their time, talent and treasures to others,” said Stoltz. “I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to serve my community!”
Upholding SPIRE’s deep commitment to community, the credit union’s VP of Member and Partner Development, Jim Ganger, will serve in the Captain’s capacity for 2016-2017 Aquatennial as well.
The Minneapolis Aquatennial was created in 1940 by a group of civic-conscious Minneapolis businesses leaders who were inspired by a Canadian celebratory festival they attended in Winnipeg. After witnessing the droves of people who turned out, they embarked upon the creation of an event to promote the city of Minneapolis and the Upper Midwest. Each summer since 1940, The Commodore heads up the monumental task of leading a crew of Captains and Ambassadors to serve communities by attending over 250 festivals throughout Minnesota, the United States and Canada in a yearlong commitment. The culmination of their efforts is the four-day Minneapolis Aquatennial proclaimed, “The Best Days of Summer!”
Additionally, each year remarkable young women representing over 50 community festivals throughout Minnesota compete for the opportunity to serve as Minneapolis Aquatennial Ambassadors. Three young women are selected for their leadership skills, and given scholarship opportunities.