---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-23-155549"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "OMEX"
cik: "0000798528"
company_name: "ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION INC"
filed_at: "2023-05-26T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-14T13:42:25.063223+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.4
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Laura L. Barton to step down as Chief Business Officer and Secretary at Odyssey Marine, effective May 31, 2023

## Summary
- Barton to leave executive roles on May 31, 2023 after 25 years; will serve as consultant through Jan 31, 2024.
- Severance includes six months base salary, acceleration of unvested stock options, and potential payment tied to Exploraciones Oceánicas proceeds.
- Consulting agreement provides one-time fee equal to one month base salary plus 57,639 shares of common stock.
- Resignation from board effective same date; no disagreements with company's operations, policies, or practices.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-23-155549
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: OMEX
- cik: 0000798528
- company_name: ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION INC
- filed_at: 2023-05-26T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.4
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.4
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/798528/000119312523155549/0001193125-23-155549-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/798528/000119312523155549/d496265d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-155549
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-155549.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-23-155549.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Laura L. Barton resigned as Chief Business Officer and Secretary at ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION INC.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Chief Business Officer and Secretary
  source text: On May 26, 2023, Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (“Odyssey”) and Laura L. Barton entered into a Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Separation Agreement”) pursuant to which Ms. Barton’s employment as Odyssey’s Chief Business Officer and Secretary will end on May 31, 2023 (the “Termination Date”).
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/798528/000119312523155549/0001193125-23-155549-index.htm
- Executive change
  Laura L. Barton resigned as Director at ODYSSEY MARINE EXPLORATION INC.
  - Action: resigned
  - Role: Director
  source text: Ms. Barton also resigned as a member of Odyssey’s board of directors and all committees thereof effective May 31, 2023.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/798528/000119312523155549/0001193125-23-155549-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.