Meet the leaders of the Mel Fisher Companies
KIM FISHER
Kim Fisher carries on his father’s tradition, starting each day with an encouraging “Today’s the Day” for his family, crews and staff. He continues Mel’s 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 administra¬tion from the University of Michigan. He attended the Florida State University School of Law for two years, but returned to assist the family’s cultural heritage recovery efforts and has continued in this occupation since.

Today, Kim is the President/CEO of the various Mel Fisher Family Enterprises. At age 52, he has been a dedicated member and leader of the Mel Fisher treasure hunting team for over 30 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.

TAFFI FISHER ABT
Taffi 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 30 years and serves on the Board of Directors for the Fisher Family enterprises. She is the President of Mel Fisher Center, Inc., directs the 1715 Fleet East Coast Shipwreck Project and oversees the Mel Fisher's Treasure Museum as well as the Conservation Laboratory in Sebastian, Florida.

Taffi is responsible for directing the salvage operations, conservation and documentation, cataloging and curating of the artifacts of the 1715 Treasure Fleet. She is Chairperson of the Division Committee of the Mel Fisher Family Companies. She is an editor of Institute of Marine Archaeology and Conservation, www.IMACdigest.org, an online publication of marine archeology. She is also an advocate for the salvage community serving on the Historic Shipwreck Salvage Policy Counsel (HSSPC). Additionally, she advocates for Awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Children www.haveaheartformichael.org. She has also volunteered for 20 years on the Board of Directors of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society, a non-profit organization founded by her parents.

She attended the Florida Keys Community College on a scholarship where she studied business. She continues her education with classes at Indian River Community College and is involved in the digital archiving of films, literature, photographs, artifacts, and databases relating to her parents legacy.

Taffi resides in Sebastian, Florida with her husband Michael and her son Melvin. She has five children and two granddaughters.

GARY RANDOLPH
Gary Randolph is the Vice President and Director of Operations of the Atocha & Margarita Salvage Project.

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, Gary’s 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. He has since turned over operation of the “Huntress” to Shawn Redding.

Gary is extremely well liked and highly respected by all who work with him. He and his wife Linda 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 3 years he has taken on many additional responsibilities. 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 two adorable boys: Jack Riley and Max Jacob. They are excited to continue raising their family here in paradise. Seanloves that he can carry on his Grandpa’s dream of finding the Sterncastle of the Atocha. He also hopes to one day find a wreck that dwarfs the Atocha so his Grandpa Mel can look down on him and say, “That’s my boy.”


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