Meet The Staff
Dale & Betty Sola
A lifelong builder and craftsman, Dale Sola designed South Pier Inn with exceptional attention to detail, incorporating strong Finnish influences evident throughout the property today. A talented draftsman, Dale personally shaped many of the Inn’s distinctive architectural and design elements while overseeing its development from concept to completion.
Betty Sola is the person on the hotel grounds and in the lobby with dirty jeans and torn gardening gloves. The 250’ South Pier Inn Garden evolved from a shoreline of weeds and rubble to now featuring 2000+ spring tulips, 150’ of dahlias and pieces of architectural salvage from turn-of-the-century buildings. People think she is 50…but she is really 78! A businesswoman with many unique successes, she welcomes you to the South Pier Inn.
Steve Sola
Steve Sola is a longtime sales professional whose appreciation for Duluth’s maritime heritage led him to purchase and preserve the historic South Pier Inner Harbor Range Light. A familiar presence around South Pier Inn, Steve is often spotted arriving in one of his classic cars, reflecting his enthusiasm for timeless craftsmanship and history.
Rand Sola
Rand Sola has a passion for hospitality. His dedication to South Pier Inn and its guests is drawn from traveling to hundreds of destinations throughout all seven continents. By working closely with the staff, maintaining every room and guiding guests on summertime historical walking tours, he brings the lessons of travel back home. In Rand’s words, “hospitality is all about connecting our guests to local knowledge and advice in a clean and well-maintained property.”
Lucas Trea
Lucas Trea’s journey at South Pier Inn began in housekeeping and evolved through years of dedication into his current role as Assistant General Manager. With deep family ties to Park Point, Lucas enjoys sharing local stories and history with guests, while his passion for Duluth’s culinary scene helps visitors discover memorable dining experiences throughout the city.
Branden Robinson
For nearly two decades, Branden Robinson has served as General Manager of South Pier Inn, helping shape the property’s reputation for thoughtful hospitality, exceptional guest service, and attention to detail. A graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Branden is passionate about Duluth’s long-term success, co-founding Destination Duluth to support community relocation efforts and actively contributing to numerous charitable and civic initiatives throughout the region. He believes hospitality and tourism serve as a community’s front door, a region’s face to the world.