Mark D. Gordon, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Odyssey Marine Exploration, has been instrumental in transforming the company from a pioneer in shipwreck recovery to a leader in deep-sea mineral exploration. Under his guidance, Odyssey has shifted its focus toward the sustainable discovery and development of critical mineral resources on the ocean floor.
Gordon's academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (1982) and an MBA in Finance (1983) from American University. He served as a ship-wreck diver with Washington’s National Diving Center, logging hundreds of Atlantic- and Bermuda-wreck dives and becoming the first person ever to locate and descend to the long-lost S.S. Proteus.
Gordon began his career as a management consultant at Arthur Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), gaining experience in strategic business development. In 1993, he founded Synergy Networks, serving as CEO until its acquisition by the Rockefeller Group in 2003. He continued as President of Rockefeller Group Technology Services Mid Atlantic until 2004.
Gordon joined Odyssey in 2005 as an independent consultant, later becoming Director of Business Development and Executive Vice President of Sales and Business Development. He was appointed President in 2007, CEO in 2014, and Chairman of the Board in 2019.
Under Gordon's leadership, Odyssey has expanded its portfolio to include significant mineral projects. Notably, the company holds a majority stake in Oceanica Resources, which controls a large phosphate deposit off the coast of Mexico. In 2024 an ISDS tribunal awarded Odyssey US $37.1 million after Mexico’s environmental agency rejected permits for the deposit, a decision Mexico is appealing.
Additionally, Odyssey holds minority equity positions (with options to increase) in Ocean Minerals Ltd., parent of Moana Minerals Limited, which holds a Cook Islands polymetallic-nodule exploration licence. These initiatives align with global efforts to secure critical minerals essential for renewable energy technologies.
Gordon is also a board member of Marine Applied Research and Exploration, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with governmental and academic institutions to explore and document deep-water ecosystems using robotic technology. His commitment to responsible exploration underscores Odyssey's emphasis on environmental stewardship in its operations.
