Engineering and Science Advisory Board

Bio

Joe Gagliardi is a distinguished chief executive officer, change agent, and entrepreneur with a career spanning over three decades, A customer-focused and performance-driven leader, Joe has successfully led and motivated worldwide teams of over 250 employees while managing P&L for business divisions exceeding $250 million in revenue.

Joe's journey began with a passion for the sciences, leading him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Geological Oceanography from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1988. This foundational education provided him with the technical knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the geophysical and geospatial service markets. In 2000, Joe further enhanced his expertise by obtaining an MBA from Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Management, equipping him with the strategic insight required to excel in leadership roles.
Joe's professional career commenced in 1988 with GSI, then HGS, and Western Geophysical, where he held various positions, including international marine OBC Crew Party Manager, Data Processor and H.S.E. & Q.A. Manager before advancing to Business Manager for the Americas.

In 2005, Joe transitioned to ION Geophysical Corporation, initially serving as Director of Seismic Acquisition, and then as Director of Arctic Solutions & Technology. In this capacity, Joe was solely responsible for creating a $500 million franchise focused on arctic seismic exploration. His innovative work led to multiple patents for under-ice seismic technology and marine threat monitoring systems that earned ION the 2012 & 2014 Meritorious Award for Engineering Excellence.

From 2012 to 2021, Joe served as Senior Vice President of Exploration Production Technology & Services, Business Development at ION Geophysical. In this role, he was instrumental in transforming the company’s multi-client services division, data processing services and geologic consultancy services, including championing one of the first digital marketplaces for multi-client seismic data.

In 2021, Joe took on the role of Managing Director at TerraSond Limited, an Alaskan geospatial services company focused on the new energies markets, in particular offshore wind, power to X, CCUS, and tidal energies. He successfully led the restructuring and turnaround of the firm, leading to its desired sale in April of 2024.

In addition to his corporate roles, Joe has consulted with multiple their oil and gas focused services corporations, assisting with the pivot of their services offerings to meet the needs of the marine energy transition. He has contributed to the academic community as an Adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at Rice University from 2000 to 2009. He has authored several journal articles and industry conference papers. He has frequently been quoted in trade magazines as an expert on arctic seismic exploration.