MARC LAWRENCE was born in Columbus, Ohio, and grew up in the country near Grove City. At the age of nine, his family moved to Gainesville, Florida, and then to Lake Santa Fe, near Melrose. He and his dog, Tawny, explored the swamps and marshes for miles all around. He entered the University of Florida in 1964, but after struggling academically for two and a half years, he dropped out and joined the US Army for a three-year study break. He became an artillery officer, serving in Vietnam from 1968-69. He is the recipient of the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and several other medals of lesser consequence.
He reentered the University of Florida upon his return to the real world, discovering the science of geology and diving into it headlong. He graduated with both BS and MS degrees and began his career immediately, working with three different engineering companies over four years. In 1977, he joined Fairfield Industries, beginning a long career in the applied science of geophysics. He rose to senior vice president and became a member of the board of directors. He retired from Fairfield in 2010 and immediately joined Global Geophysical. In 2014, he formed his own company, RosettaStone Exploration Consulting. During his career, he was highly involved with industry trade groups such as the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) and the International Association of Geophysical Contractors (IAGC), where he served as chairman of the board for two years. He continues to be on the board of directors for In-Depth Geophysical. His work has taken him to over forty countries across the globe.
He is married to his wife, Karen, who has been his support during the five years it took to write this book.
