KELLIE AAMODT [Finance Chair]
Recently retired, Kelly joined UPS in 1991 as an International Account Executive and spent over 25 years in various management and director roles, including her last five years as VP Sales, overseeing UPS' Western Region of over 1,200 sales personnel in 25 states. Kellie is active with the United Way and is on the Board of Directors for WISEPlace, a woman's shelter. She is also on the Deans Advisory Board for the University of CA, Irvine and the Marshall’s School of Business Supply Chain Management Masters program. Kellie graduated with a BA, International Relations from University of Minnesota, with a minor in German. She studied in Munich, Germany and earned her MBA from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI.
Recently retired, Kelly joined UPS in 1991 as an International Account Executive and spent over 25 years in various management and director roles, including her last five years as VP Sales, overseeing UPS' Western Region of over 1,200 sales personnel in 25 states. Kellie is active with the United Way and is on the Board of Directors for WISEPlace, a woman's shelter. She is also on the Deans Advisory Board for the University of CA, Irvine and the Marshall’s School of Business Supply Chain Management Masters program. Kellie graduated with a BA, International Relations from University of Minnesota, with a minor in German. She studied in Munich, Germany and earned her MBA from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, WI.
ALICIA BIHLER
Alicia is an environmental consultant with experience in drafting landscape-scale conservation plans, and facilitating partnerships between local, nonprofit, state, and federal agencies. This includes work with USFWS, the Department of the Interior, and the US Air Force. Alicia holds an M.S. in coastal environmental management from Duke University, and a B.A. in integrative biology from the University of California at Berkeley. In her free time, Alicia enjoys climbing and hiking her local parks.
Alicia is an environmental consultant with experience in drafting landscape-scale conservation plans, and facilitating partnerships between local, nonprofit, state, and federal agencies. This includes work with USFWS, the Department of the Interior, and the US Air Force. Alicia holds an M.S. in coastal environmental management from Duke University, and a B.A. in integrative biology from the University of California at Berkeley. In her free time, Alicia enjoys climbing and hiking her local parks.
DR. KERRY DAVIDSON
Kerry began her connection with MARE thirty years ago when she worked with Dirk Rosen at Deep Ocean Engineering as Marketing Manager. After working at Deep Ocean, she returned to school and obtained her Medical degree at University of California, San Francisco. She has been practicing medicine at Marin General Hospital since 2001, where she has served as Chief of Staff and the President of Marin Hospitalist Medical Group. Currently Dr. Davidson serves on the Board of Directors of Marin Medical Practice Concepts and the Marin General Hospital Board Building Committee and she previously served on the Hospital Board of Directors. A native Californian, Dr. Davidson has a lifetime love of the ocean and is committed to marine preservation.
Kerry began her connection with MARE thirty years ago when she worked with Dirk Rosen at Deep Ocean Engineering as Marketing Manager. After working at Deep Ocean, she returned to school and obtained her Medical degree at University of California, San Francisco. She has been practicing medicine at Marin General Hospital since 2001, where she has served as Chief of Staff and the President of Marin Hospitalist Medical Group. Currently Dr. Davidson serves on the Board of Directors of Marin Medical Practice Concepts and the Marin General Hospital Board Building Committee and she previously served on the Hospital Board of Directors. A native Californian, Dr. Davidson has a lifetime love of the ocean and is committed to marine preservation.
JON GLASSMAN [ Chair]
Jon is an engineering project manager on the Maps team at Apple. He brings prior experience in project management, consulting, and engineering from his work with large and small organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the fields of energy, transportation, environment, and technology. Prior to his current work at Apple, he consulted to the US Department of Energy and Department of Transportation for Booz Allen Hamilton. In 2007, he helped overhaul and launch the maiden voyage of R/V Magnet, a 65’ steel-hulled ketch. He holds a MS and BS in mechanical engineering from Stanford and a MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. In his free time, he will take any excuse to get outdoors.
Jon is an engineering project manager on the Maps team at Apple. He brings prior experience in project management, consulting, and engineering from his work with large and small organizations in the public, private, and non-profit sectors in the fields of energy, transportation, environment, and technology. Prior to his current work at Apple, he consulted to the US Department of Energy and Department of Transportation for Booz Allen Hamilton. In 2007, he helped overhaul and launch the maiden voyage of R/V Magnet, a 65’ steel-hulled ketch. He holds a MS and BS in mechanical engineering from Stanford and a MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. In his free time, he will take any excuse to get outdoors.
MARK GORDON
Mark is the Chief Executive Officer of Odyssey Marine Exploration. Mark has also started, owned or managed four entrepreneurial ventures, including Synergy Networks which he founded in 1993 and served as CEO until 2003 before selling the company to the Rockefeller Group. He continued serving as President of Rockefeller Group Technology Services Mid Atlantic, a member of Rockefeller Group International, until 2004. Past work experience also includes a Management Consultant at Arthur Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Mark holds a B.S./Business Administration and a MBA in Finance from the American University. As a shipwreck diver with the National Diving Center in Washington DC, he has conducted hundreds of dives and explorations on shipwrecks and was the first person to discover and dive on the wreck of the S.S. Proteus.
Mark is the Chief Executive Officer of Odyssey Marine Exploration. Mark has also started, owned or managed four entrepreneurial ventures, including Synergy Networks which he founded in 1993 and served as CEO until 2003 before selling the company to the Rockefeller Group. He continued serving as President of Rockefeller Group Technology Services Mid Atlantic, a member of Rockefeller Group International, until 2004. Past work experience also includes a Management Consultant at Arthur Andersen Consulting (now Accenture). Mark holds a B.S./Business Administration and a MBA in Finance from the American University. As a shipwreck diver with the National Diving Center in Washington DC, he has conducted hundreds of dives and explorations on shipwrecks and was the first person to discover and dive on the wreck of the S.S. Proteus.
THOMAS FROST
Thomas Frost is founder of two successful financial companies that solve for the needs of greater scale, more profit, and more effective HR and benefits management process in growth. His lifelong appreciation for the environment and conservation attracted him to support MARE in 2019 and beyond. A Graduate of St. Lawrence University and Kent School in Kent, CT, Tom's 20-year professional career and nonprofit volunteer highlights include: Chair a workforce non-profit in San Diego since 2007 and recognized as the top 401(k) consultant in California and 11th in the United States in 2009. Tom is helping MARE expand across the United States and worldwide by connecting his network strength to MARE's intrinsic growth capabilities to enable internal financial development and external educational awareness and growth accelerators.
Thomas Frost is founder of two successful financial companies that solve for the needs of greater scale, more profit, and more effective HR and benefits management process in growth. His lifelong appreciation for the environment and conservation attracted him to support MARE in 2019 and beyond. A Graduate of St. Lawrence University and Kent School in Kent, CT, Tom's 20-year professional career and nonprofit volunteer highlights include: Chair a workforce non-profit in San Diego since 2007 and recognized as the top 401(k) consultant in California and 11th in the United States in 2009. Tom is helping MARE expand across the United States and worldwide by connecting his network strength to MARE's intrinsic growth capabilities to enable internal financial development and external educational awareness and growth accelerators.
MANSI KONAR
Manawita (Mansi) is international economic advisor on ocean economy, environment and climate based in the UK. As a part of the High-Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy Secretariat, she has provided economic advice to the Ocean Panel which consisted of 14 world leaders transitioning to a Sustainable Ocean Economy. She previously worked as a senior Economist and Strategist in the UK Civil Service for 11 years including evaluating the impact of policies to improve the health of oceans and as the lead Economic Advisor to the Marine Programme in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK Government), she developed the evidence base that informed the designation of UK’s Marine Conservation Zones and the implementation of EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. She holds a M.Sc. in Development Economics from University of Oxford and a B.Sc. in Economics Honors from University of Calcutta (Presidency College, India).
Manawita (Mansi) is international economic advisor on ocean economy, environment and climate based in the UK. As a part of the High-Level Panel for Sustainable Ocean Economy Secretariat, she has provided economic advice to the Ocean Panel which consisted of 14 world leaders transitioning to a Sustainable Ocean Economy. She previously worked as a senior Economist and Strategist in the UK Civil Service for 11 years including evaluating the impact of policies to improve the health of oceans and as the lead Economic Advisor to the Marine Programme in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (UK Government), she developed the evidence base that informed the designation of UK’s Marine Conservation Zones and the implementation of EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive. She holds a M.Sc. in Development Economics from University of Oxford and a B.Sc. in Economics Honors from University of Calcutta (Presidency College, India).
LAURA MOSS
Laura is a corporate finance professional with experience in the energy and technology industries. She currently works at Google, managing it's technical infrastructure projects and investments. Laura holds a B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, and a M.B.A. in general management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Laura enjoys painting and hiking with her rescue dog, Chewbacca, in her local parks. She loves the ocean.
Laura is a corporate finance professional with experience in the energy and technology industries. She currently works at Google, managing it's technical infrastructure projects and investments. Laura holds a B.S.E. in engineering from Duke University, and a M.B.A. in general management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. In her free time, Laura enjoys painting and hiking with her rescue dog, Chewbacca, in her local parks. She loves the ocean.
CHRIS OAKES [Research & Development Committee Chair]
Christopher Oakes, MA, is the Vice President of NovoNutrients, a biotechnology firm making feed from CO₂. Chris is a marine scientist, biotechnologist and professional scuba diver. During his career Oakes served as Chief Operating Officer at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, as well as a Business Development Manager for Liquid Robotics. Oakes has dedicated this phase of his career to molecular tools and diagnostics, robotics, and the development of fish-free feeds using biotechnology. During his time at Occidental College, Chris worked with the Vantuna Research Group focusing on life history studies of nearshore marine fishes, marine environmental monitoring, time series analysis and spatial modeling. Oakes also enjoys capturing the diversity of the underwater world through photography.
Christopher Oakes, MA, is the Vice President of NovoNutrients, a biotechnology firm making feed from CO₂. Chris is a marine scientist, biotechnologist and professional scuba diver. During his career Oakes served as Chief Operating Officer at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance, as well as a Business Development Manager for Liquid Robotics. Oakes has dedicated this phase of his career to molecular tools and diagnostics, robotics, and the development of fish-free feeds using biotechnology. During his time at Occidental College, Chris worked with the Vantuna Research Group focusing on life history studies of nearshore marine fishes, marine environmental monitoring, time series analysis and spatial modeling. Oakes also enjoys capturing the diversity of the underwater world through photography.
LARISSA POMMERAUD [Business Development]
Larissa is a global growth strategy-oriented e-commerce executive and experienced non-profit Board member, based in the Bay Area. She is currently the General Manager of Minted Weddings and Head of Strategy for Minted's overall design marketplace. Previously she was the Global General Manager at Art.com, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Stubhub (part of eBay), Associate Director of Brand and Business Strategy at Arnold Worldwide (ad agency, part of Havas), and a long time strategy and management consultant at Bain & Company. She received her MBA from leading international business school INSEAD, and her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, Public Policy and Economics Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University where she also led their environmental organizations. Larissa and her family are avid boaters and scuba divers, passionate about conserving (and restoring!) healthy oceans.
Larissa is a global growth strategy-oriented e-commerce executive and experienced non-profit Board member, based in the Bay Area. She is currently the General Manager of Minted Weddings and Head of Strategy for Minted's overall design marketplace. Previously she was the Global General Manager at Art.com, Head of Strategy and Corporate Development at Stubhub (part of eBay), Associate Director of Brand and Business Strategy at Arnold Worldwide (ad agency, part of Havas), and a long time strategy and management consultant at Bain & Company. She received her MBA from leading international business school INSEAD, and her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Science, Public Policy and Economics Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University where she also led their environmental organizations. Larissa and her family are avid boaters and scuba divers, passionate about conserving (and restoring!) healthy oceans.
DIRK ROSEN [Executive Director]
Dirk has over 25 years of deepwater engineering experience. He was president and director of Deep Ocean Engineering before selling the company in 2000. At DOE, he was project manager and test pilot for all three Deep Rover 1,000 meter-rated manned submersibles, and a designer/operator of the Phantom and Bandit ROV systems. At Hawkes Ocean Technologies he served as project manager for the 11,000 meter rated Challenger, a manned submersible designed to go to the deepest point in the ocean, the Marianas Trench. He recently retired from the board of Save the Bay, where he served for nine years.
Dirk has over 25 years of deepwater engineering experience. He was president and director of Deep Ocean Engineering before selling the company in 2000. At DOE, he was project manager and test pilot for all three Deep Rover 1,000 meter-rated manned submersibles, and a designer/operator of the Phantom and Bandit ROV systems. At Hawkes Ocean Technologies he served as project manager for the 11,000 meter rated Challenger, a manned submersible designed to go to the deepest point in the ocean, the Marianas Trench. He recently retired from the board of Save the Bay, where he served for nine years.
