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BOARD
OF DIRECTORS << ABOUT
US << HOME
 Kim
Fisher
The Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society was founded by Mel Fisher and his friends. Over the years, the board has become a much more diverse group and includes several people who never even met Mel - hard for some of us to imagine! One of our most active members, who was not a founder but
certainly knew Mel, is his son, Kim Fisher. Mel's search for the Nuestra Seņora de Atocha shaped Kim's life. When his
brother Kane found the "Main Pile" of treasure in 1985, Kim was
twenty-nine - he had been part of the search since the age of thirteen.
Treasure hunting was a family affair in which all the children participated, and
it has become a lifelong commitment for each of them. Kim learned to dive as a boy and, by the age of 16, he was already sufficiently
qualified and experienced to be made captain of his first vessel, the Southwind. At a time when most people would be
pre-occupied with their
social lives, Kim was fully knowledgeable in the use of complex electronic instruments like the magnetometers,
sidescan sonar, and
sub-bottom profilers needed in searching for sunken ships. His father's passion for treasure hunting was becoming what would be Kim's career.
Kim's formal education was important too. Kim received his B.S. degree from the University of Michigan and entered Florida State University's law school. Eventually he decided to leave Law School early to focus on cultural
heritage recovery efforts with his family. Kim says that when
the motherlode of the Nuestra Seņora de Atocha 's treasure was found he didn't feel
vindicated but "satisfied". "It was nice to realize your dream after such a long time".
In 1991 Kim joined the Board of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage
Society. After his father's death in late 1998,
Kim was elected as President and held this position until 2002. "I am happy to have seen the society grow from the founding members to a large organization and
board capable of continuing on my father's dream." Kim remains an active supporter and vital voice on the board today
and hopes that a Fisher will always desire to be a part
of the Society.
Today, Kim Fisher is President and CEO of various Mel Fisher Family
Enterprises and has been a dedicated member and leader of the Mel Fisher treasure hunting team for
over 28 years. He says "There was never any doubt
in my mind that this is what I wanted to do."
Prior to taking over executive duties of the family business, Kim managed Atocha Treasure Tours with his wife, Lee. Kim and Lee live in Key West, Florida with their sons, Ricki and Scott. He has three sons by his
previous marriage, Jeremy, Sean, and Nicholas.
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