Ion G. Varouxakis is one of the founders, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of FreeSeas Inc. In 2003, Mr. Varouxakis founded Free Bulkers S.A., the beginning of a single-vessel, self-financed entrepreneurial venture that led to FreeSeas Inc. founding and NASDAQ listing in 2005.

Prior to founding Free Bulkers S.A., Mr. Varouxakis held since 1997 management positions in private shipping companies operating in the drybulk sector.

Mr. Varouxakis holds a candidature degree in law from the Catholic University of Saint Louis in Brussels and a bachelor of science degree in economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Mr. Varouxakis is a member of the Hellenic Committee  of the Korean Register of Shipping and is an officer of the reserves of the Hellenic Army.