Portland Spirit
Contact Us
Phone
(503) 224-3900
(800) 224-3901 toll free
(503) 231-9089 fax
Book a cruise online
Fill out an information request form
Email our sales team
Request a donation
Office hours (Pacific time)
M-F 8:00a-5:00p
Sa 9:00a-4:00p
Su 9:00a-4:00p
Mailing address
Portland Spirit
110 SE Caruthers Street
Portland, OR 97214-4513
Public Boarding Location
1020 SW Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97204
Portland Spirit History
The Portland Spirit, Willamette Star, Crystal Dolphin and Explorer vessels are locally owned and locally operated by American Waterways, Inc., which began operations in 1994. The Portland Spirit company also operates the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler, Locks Waterfront Grill, Marine Park Visitors Center, Gorge Pavilion and Thunder Island in the Port of Cascade Locks, Oregon. We employ approximately 150 people seasonally.
The Portland Spirit offices, Cartuhers Landing Dock, and maintenance facilities are located just upstream (South) of OMSI (The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) and Portland Opera. Here is a map to help you.
Our People
Daniel H. Yates
President
dan@portlandspirit.com
Heralding from upstate New York, Dan served in the U.S. Navy, received his Bachelor’s from Centre College in Kentucky, and his MBA from the University of Virginia. Dan is a past President of the Central Eastside Industrial Council and serves on the boards of several other non-profit organizations.
Dennis Corwin
General Manager
dcorwin@portlandspirit.com
A native Oregonian, Dennis Corwin has been with the Portland Spirit since the very beginning in 1994. Dennis studied business and music performance at Portland State University. He has been in the restaurant/hospitality industry for over 25 years. He has also performed in over 50 theatrical productions around the region with such companies as Portland Opera, Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Lakewood Center for the Arts and Portland Civic Theatre.
Nathan Boese
Sales Director
(503) 943-9102
nathanb@portlandspirit.com
Nathan was promoted to Sales Director in May of 2018 after years of working as a Sales Manager as well as a Cruise Director and server on the Portland Spirit.
Armin Pinto
Executive Chef
apinto@portlandspirit.com
Armin Pinto has been with the Portland Spirit since the late '90s, beginning as a dishwasher and working his way through the ranks to Executive Chef of all facilities.
Jeff Caldwell
General Manager, Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler
jeff@portlandspirit.com
Jeff Caldwell is the General Manager for our operations in Cascade Locks Oregon at the Locks Waterfront Grill, Gorge Pavilion, Thunder Island, and on board the Columbia Gorge Sternwheeler vessel.
Originally from southern Washington, Jeff is an avid snowboarding enthusiast.
Mindy Dean-Caldwell
Executive Service Director
mindy@portlandspirit.com
Mindy Dean-Caldwell hails from the state of Iowa and has worked in the restaurant industry for many years. Now responsible for all customer service on board the Portland Spirit vessels, Mindy has overseen practically every job and level of responsibility in the service industry and enjoys enabling people to reach their goals.
Todd Bolger
Operations Manager
Kaye Conklin, CHAE
Controller
kaye@portlandspirit.com
Kaye Conklin runs our accounting department and oversees our personnel divisions. A graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, Kaye moved to Oregon in 1979. She worked in the hotel industry for over 18 years at the Inn at Otter Crest in Otter Rock, and the Heathman Hotel in downtown Portland before changing her career path, joining the Portland Spirit management team in April 1998.
Geoerl Niles
Human Resources Director
gniles@portlandspirit.com
Geoerl Niles is responsible for all matters regarding our Human Resources department.
Michael Chan
IS/IT Director
michael@portlandspirit.com
Michael Chan has worked for the Portland Spirit since October 1997. Originally from upstate New York, Michael previously worked in the broadcast industry as an announcer and producer, and in various capacities in the food and beverage industry.
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