 |
|
 |
| Meet the leaders of the Mel Fisher Companies |
|
KIM FISHER
|
 Kim
Fisher carries on his fathers tradition, starting each
day with an encouraging Todays the Day for his
family, crews and staff. He continues Mels unwavering
quest for lost treasures and the constant pursuit and
development of new treasure hunting techniques, as well
as maintaining a world-class conservation laboratory to
ensure that the treasures live on for generations.
As befits his heritage, Kim Fisher began diving as a
youngster and by the age of 16 was the trusted captain
of the dive vessel, "Southwind", used as a recovery
vessel in the early days of the salvage of the Spanish
Galleon, "Nuestra Senora de Atocha". He has expert
knowledge in all phases of cultural heritage recovery.
In addition to being a diver and captain, Kim is adept
in the use of the various electronic instruments used in
the search for sunken vessels, such as the magnetometer,
sidescan sonar and sub-bottom profiler.
Kim interrupted his treasure-hunting career to get his
B.S. degree in business administration from the
University of Michigan. He attended the Florida State
University School of Law for two years, but returned to
assist the familys cultural heritage recovery efforts
and has continued in this occupation since.
Today, Kim is the President/CEO of the various Mel
Fisher Family Enterprises. He is also the current
presiding president of the Board of Directors of the
non-profit Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society. At age
45, he has been a dedicated member and leader of the Mel
Fisher treasure hunting team for over 25 years.
Prior to assuming full time executive duties with the
Fisher Family Enterprises, Kim and his wife, Lee,
managed the Atocha Treasure Tours. Kim and Lee currently
reside in Key West. They have five sons; Jeremy, Sean,
Nicholas, Scott and Rick.
|
|
|
DOLORES FISHER
|
 Dolores
Fisher, affectionately known as Deo is the matriarch
of the Fisher family. It was she and husband Mel Fisher,
who created, what has become today, the most successful
historic salvage business in the world.
Deo was one of the first women to learn to scuba dive
and embrace it as a career. As Mels dive buddy and
business partner, she was active in all aspects of the
family business, including setting her own world record.
On August 2, 1959, Deo descended into an empty porpoise
tank at Hermosa Beach Aquarium and broke the womens
record for staying under water for 55 hours, 37 minutes,
9.6 seconds. Her resolve at most anything she did was
rivaled only by her husband. Together, they would
succeed in a dream that most people could only fantasize
about.
Deo and Mel, founders of the non-profit Mel Fisher
Maritime Heritage Society, have made it possible for
people throughout the world to have access to the
history that the treasures of the Atocha and the
Margarita hold. All future generations can now enjoy,
learn and remember not only the story of the Atocha, but
of the brave, hardworking and tenacious treasure salvors
who spent their lives bringing this treasure to the
surface.
To the appreciation of the company, Deo Fisher still
plays an active roll in the Fisher family business, as
Secretary to its many corporations.
|
|
|
TAFFI FISHER ABT
|
 Taffi
Fisher Abt is the youngest child of World Famous
Treasure Hunters Mel and Dolores Fisher. She has worked
in various aspects of the family business for over 20
years and is the President of Mel Fisher Center, Inc.
and the Director of the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum and
Conservation Laboratory in Sebastian, Florida. She is
also Secretary/Assistant and Treasurer of the various
Mel Fisher Companies.
Taffi is responsible for directing the salvage
operations, conservation and documentation, cataloging
and curating of the artifacts of the 1715 Treasure Fleet
and the administrative duties of running the Sebastian
Museum. She is Chairperson of the Division Committee of
the Mel Fisher Companies. In addition, she is on the
Board of Directors of the non-profit Mel Fisher Maritime
Heritage Society, an editor of IMAC Digest (an online
publication of marine archeology) and a member of the
Explorers Club.
She attended the Florida Keys Community College on a
scholarship where she studied business. She continues
her education with classes relating to archaeology and
computer programs at Indian River Community College.
Taffi resides in Sebastian, Florida with her husband
Michael and children Joshua, Nichole, Michael and
Melvin.
|
|
|
GARY RANDOLPH
|
 Gary
Randolph is the Vice President and Director of Operations of the Atocha &
Margarita Salvage Project and Captain of our new survey
vessel The Huntress.
Gary became the Captain of the J.B. Magruder on
December 1, 1995, a mere eleven months after signing on
to its crew as a diver. On his first trip as captain,
they recovered a gold coin and a gold chain which was
the best gift this talented young captain could hope for
on his December 11th birthday! People who work with Gary
have said on many occasions, he is definitely not afraid
to make the sacrifices it takes to pursue his dreams.
In 1997, Garys hard work and dedication earned him the
position of Operations Manager. His previous experience
with computers has made him invaluable on land, as well
as on sea, as the network administrator and computer
guru for the office. He is also responsible for the
conservation lab and is diligent in assuring the careful
preservation of all artifacts recovered. Again, his
computer background has assisted him. He has recently
used the Access program to develop and format one of the
most comprehensive Marine Archaeological Artifact
Databases in existence.
In 2002, Gary has shifted his focus to running the
Huntress and developing the computer controlled
survey equipment and mapping programs in an effort to
help locate the elusive stern-castle and the remaining
lower hull structure of the Atocha and Margarita
along with their valuable cargo.
Gary is extremely well liked and highly respected by all
who work with him. He and his wife Linda, now the Mel
Fisher Treasure Sales Gift Shop Manager, have become a
much-loved and integral part of the Mel Fisher team.
|
|
|
SEAN FISHER
|
 Sean Fisher has
long been a part of his Grandpa Mel’s adventures. In his teenage years he spent his days at sea on the boats
as part of the crew. After spending 3 hot months one summer on the emerald barge he decided he would try his
hand at college and moved to Portland, Oregon with his beautiful wife Star to attend Portland State University.
While working a full time job Sean completed his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marketing and returned to
Mel Fisher’s Treasures in 2005 as the Director of Marketing.
Within 2 years he has taken on many additional responsibilities and while his father, Kim Fisher, is
exploring new treasure hunting opportunities for the company. Sean has taken on the role of Acting
Director of Mel Fisher’s Treasures and has been doing an amazing job juggling all of his different
projects. He has also become the face and voice of Mel Fisher’s Treasures doing many television,
magazine and newspaper interviews.
Sean and Star have an adorable baby boy named Jack Riley and are expecting the arrival of their second
son, Max in November. They are excited to continue building their family here in paradise. Sean also
loves that he can carry on his Grandpa’s dream of finding the Sterncastle of the Atocha and start each
day as Mel did saying: Today’s the Day!
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|