Shawn Pomrenke Wiki/bio: net worth, marriage, divorces, legal troubles, girlfriend, kids.

Shawn Pomrenke is an American gold miner, entrepreneur, and reality television personality best known as a central figure on Discovery Channel’s long-running series Bering Sea Gold. Dubbed “Mr. Gold” by fans, Shawn has spent decades carving a path through the unforgiving waters off Nome, Alaska—both literally and figuratively.

But his rise to prominence was far from smooth. Behind the scenes of his televised success is a story marked by legal setbacks, personal struggles, and redemption. Shawn faced multiple DUI arrests, including one that violated a court-ordered breathalyzer program. These incidents cast serious doubt on his ability to lead Pomrenke Mining, the family-run operation he inherited from his father, Steve Pomrenke.

Since 2013, however, Shawn has turned a corner—avoiding further legal trouble and working steadily to rebuild his reputation through sheer determination and hard-earned experience. His journey is not just one of surviving in the harsh Alaskan frontier, but also of overcoming personal demons and proving his worth in a high-stakes, high-pressure industry.

This biography explores both the grit and complexity behind the man known as “Mr. Gold”—from his early start in mining and family life in Nome, to the personal challenges that helped shape his career and character.

Early Life and Background

Shawn Pomrenke was born on March 26, 1975, in Minnesota, United States, to Steve Pomrenke—a skilled mechanic-turned-miner—and Catherine Gray. He has two siblings: an older brother, Erick Pomrenke, and a younger sister, Nikki Pomrenke. Shawn and Erick spent their early childhood in Minnesota until 1986, when the family relocated to Nome, Alaska, after Steve secured a job in the region. That same year, the family welcomed Nikki into their lives.

After beginning his education in Minnesota, Shawn continued his studies in Nome, attending Beltz High School. At just 14 years old, he began learning the ropes of gold mining alongside his father, developing a hands-on understanding of the trade from an early age.

By 16, Shawn had moved out on his own and was balancing school, basketball, and long hours of manual labor. He worked evening shifts until 10 PM for the Martinson family, gaining critical experience operating and repairing heavy machinery—skills that would later prove instrumental in his mining career.

At 18, after completing the 11th grade, Shawn became a father. The responsibility of parenthood led him to leave high school before his senior year to work full-time and support his child. Faced with new responsibilities, he stepped into adult life early—juggling full-time work to support his child and cover living expenses.

Career and Progression

Shawn Pomrenke entered the world of gold mining through his father, Steve Pomrenke. At the age of 14, he began working in Nome’s gold fields, where he learned the mechanical and operational demands of the trade. He regularly repaired engines, serviced mining equipment, and gradually became responsible for key aspects of day-to-day dredging work. In Nome, where resources are limited and delays are costly, Shawn developed a reputation for improvising repairs and keeping operations running under tough conditions.

In his late teens and early twenties, Shawn began ice mining in the Bering Sea. He started with basic equipment, including a makeshift suit, bicycle air compressor, and cheap goggles. Despite lacking formal diving certification, he dove beneath thick ice in freezing waters with minimal gear. His early setups involved sledgehammering pipes into the seabed, jacking them out, and panning the material to confirm gold presence. These high-risk, primitive conditions only fueled his determination to succeed.

Shawn has described diving under the ice as both intense and calming. While it involves physical danger—such as running out of air over 100 feet away from the access hole—he found it mentally quieting and addictive. The direct reward system of seeing gold on the seafloor made him commit fully to underwater dredging. As his methods and equipment improved, so did his results.

He progressed from a laborer to a seasoned operator and eventually a business owner.

Today, Shawn co-owns the Christine Rose, a barge equipped with a backhoe designed for offshore dredging. Operated under Pomrenke Mining LLC, the Christine Rose has become one of Nome’s most productive mining platforms. Shawn has publicly stated that he and his team recovered over 1,000 ounces of gold in a single summer—an achievement that demonstrates the scale and efficiency of their operations.

Carrying the Pomrenke Legacy Forward

As Shawn took on larger responsibilities in mining, his working relationship with his father, Steve Pomrenke, continued to evolve. Steve, a respected figure in Nome’s mining community, brought decades of technical expertise and operational discipline. While their personalities often contrasted—Steve favoring a cautious, structured approach and Shawn leaning toward bold, adaptive strategies—their collaboration was rooted in shared values of work ethic and mechanical ingenuity. This intergenerational dynamic became a defining factor in the growth of Pomrenke Mining, setting the stage for Shawn to take the lead in both operations and innovation.

In the earlier years, Steve questioned whether Shawn had the discipline and long-term vision to manage the business. However, over time, Shawn demonstrated his ability to not only sustain but grow the Pomrenke family legacy. He expanded operations, modernized equipment, and took on high-risk, high-reward strategies that helped distinguish Pomrenke Mining from other Nome-based operations. As Steve became less involved in daily operations, Shawn’s leadership and technical expertise took center stage. Under his direction, Pomrenke Mining continued to grow—expanding production, modernizing equipment, and solidifying its place among Nome’s leading gold operations.

Bering Sea Gold

Shawn Pomrenke became a nationally recognized figure in 2012 when he joined the cast of Discovery Channel’s reality series Bering Sea Gold. The series documents the offshore gold dredging operations based in Nome, Alaska, focusing on the logistical, environmental, and financial hurdles miners face in extreme conditions. Shawn was introduced as the co-owner and lead operator of the Christine Rose—a backhoe-equipped mining barge that would become one of the most productive vessels on the show.

Already a seasoned miner before his television debut, Shawn’s role on Bering Sea Gold showcased his mechanical skills, leadership under pressure, and high-stakes approach to gold mining. His standout performance and consistent yields earned him the nickname “Mr. Gold” among crew members and viewers alike.

As of 2025, the show has completed 18 seasons, with Shawn featured in more than 193 episodes. The show has featured various gold miners including Emily Riedel, Kris Kelly, Vernon Adkison, Zeke Tenhoff, and others. Their diverse strategies and personalities have shaped the competitive environment portrayed on-screen. Shawn’s role in the series has been defined by his operational consistency, technical skill, and long-term presence across multiple seasons. Some of the notable moments from his time on the show include:

• He has been involved in a fistfight with Andy Kelly at the harbor in Nome over mining locations and claims. The fight resulted in blood, bruises, and a 911 call.
• He has performed a heroic rescue of a boat in danger during a Bering Sea storm in 2021. He towed the boat to safety and saved the lives of the crew.
• He has had multiple close calls and near-death experiences while mining gold under the ice. He has faced equipment failures, ice cracks, and low oxygen levels.
• He has been ambitious and confident in his gold mining goals. He has planned to build a mega dredge that can mine more gold than ever before. 
• He has been ambitious and confident in his gold mining goals. He has planned to build a mega dredge that can mine more gold than ever before. He has also competed with other miners for the best claims and locations. Some examples are Season 10, Episode 1, “Enter a Titan”, Season 11, Episode 1, “Double Down”, and Season 12, Episode 1, “Dawn of the Dredge.”
• He has been successful and lucrative in his gold mining operation. He and his father have run one of the most successful dredges in the fleet and have mined thousands of ounces of gold. Some examples are Season 2, Episode 10, “And No More Shall We Part”, Season 8, Episode 10, “Jackpot”, and Season 9, Episode 10, “Gold Fever.”

In addition to his long-running role on the main series, Shawn appeared in the spin-offs Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice (2012–2014, 18 episodes) and Bering Sea Gold: After the Dredge (2012, 2 episodes), which provided a deeper look into the seasonal and behind-the-scenes aspects of mining. In 2020, he also made a crossover appearance on an episode of Gold Rush: The Dirt, highlighting the interconnected nature of Discovery Channel’s mining franchises. Also notable is Jane Kilcher’s appearance in Season 15 of Bering Sea Gold, which premiered on December 6, 2022. Best known from Alaska: The Last Frontier, Jane—wife of Atz Lee Kilcher and daughter-in-law of Atz Kilcher,—joined Emily Riedel’s crew aboard the dredge The Eroica, marking a rare crossover between Discovery Channel franchises.

Legal Trouble

Shawn has had his fair share of troubles with the law. In 2013, Shawn backed into someone who was grocery shopping. But instead of stopping and helping them, Shawn gave a thumbs up and drove away. When the police finally managed to catch up with Shawn, he was heavily intoxicated. He was charged with a DUI, failure to return to the scene of an accident, third-degree assault, and driving without insurance. A few years prior, Shawn was involved in a fight at the bar, which resulted in him getting stabbed. But for all his drawbacks, Shawn is always ready for a photo with his fans and is constantly interacting with them.

Net Worth

As of 2025, Shawn Pomrenke has an estimated net worth of USD $3 million. His earnings come from his long-running mining career, business ownership through Pomrenke Mining LLC, and over a decade of television appearances on Bering Sea Gold and its spin-offs.

Personal Life

Before his first marriage, Shawn became a father for the first time as a teenager. At the age of 17, while still in high school in Nome, he entered a relationship with a woman who was working at the school as the Native Programs Director. The relationship led to the birth of his eldest daughter, Catherine Pomrenke, who was born in July 1993.

Shawn has spoken candidly about this chapter of his life in interviews. He revealed that he dropped out of high school during his senior year to take responsibility for his daughter—buying diapers, paying rent, and helping raise her. While he was in 12th grade when Catherine was born, he never graduated, choosing instead to support his new family. Although there was some strain in his relationship with his father around that time, it was not directly due to the pregnancy.

Though not much is publicly known about Catherine’s mother beyond her former position at the school, Shawn has acknowledged both her and their daughter openly. In the December 2022 episode of the Mike Rowe Podcast titled “There’s No Place Like Nome”(Ep. 289), Shawn candidly recounted becoming a father in high school and the sacrifices he made to support his daughter. He also shared that he was recently up late helping paint his now-adult daughter’s kitchen, reflecting a continued presence and bond in her life.

First Marriage and Divorce:

Following the challenges of early fatherhood, Shawn eventually entered into his first formal marriage with Jeanette Pomrenke. The couple lived in Nome, Alaska, and together had two children: Dylan Pomrenke and Emily Pomrenke. Jeanette is an Alaskan native deeply committed to protecting the natural resources that support the livelihoods of local communities. She has had a notable career with the National Park Service in Alaska, starting as a park ranger for the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and later becoming its superintendent. Jeanette now goes by the name “Jeanette Koelsch,” though it is unclear whether this is her maiden name or a new married name.

Their daughter, Emily Pomrenke, graduated in 2018, an event that Shawn proudly shared on social media, expressing his admiration for her accomplishments. Meanwhile, their son, Dylan Pomrenke, married Mary Ruud on January 21, 2021, outside their home on Anvil Mountain in Nome, Alaska. Shawn officiated the wedding, which took place under a rustic wooden arch adorned with handmade flowers by Dylan. Mary wore a parka she crafted herself for the snowy occasion.

Relationship with Jenny Schield

Shawn Pomrenke, typically reserved when it comes to his private life, shared a glimpse into his relationship with Jenny Schield—a relationship that predates his television fame. The couple welcomed a son, Luke Pomrenke, on May 23, 2009. In 2012, Jenny appeared as Shawn’s fiancée in season 1, episode 2 of Bering Sea Gold, titled “One Bad Deal.” Though it’s unclear whether they legally married, they maintained a committed relationship during those years and co-parent their son today.

Relationship with Monica Gomez

After parting ways with Jenny Schield, Shawn Pomrenke found new companionship with Monica Gomez. Shawn publicly updated his relationship status on Facebook in June 2012, suggesting the beginning of their involvement around that time.

The two have been publicly seen together with one notable post from Monica in February 2015, thanking friends for including “Shawn and I” at a wedding in Hawaii—an indication of their active social presence as a couple at the time. In December 2018, Monica also tagged Shawn in a humorous social media post, further confirming their connection during that period.

However, as of now, there have been no recent public updates about the couple. The absence of newer photos or mentions has raised questions about the current status of their relationship, though neither has made a formal statement.

Physical Traits

Shawn Pomrenke has pale brown hair, bright blue eyes, and is well-built. He is 5ft 6ins (167 cm) tall and has a casual and rugged style. He often wears jeans, T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and hats. He also has a gold chain around his neck and a watch on his wrist. He sometimes wears sunglasses and gloves. His beard is usually trimmed and his hair is short and spiky. 

Trivia:

• He is known as “Mr. Gold” for his success in finding gold in the Bering Sea.
• He has a Facebook page where he posts photos of his gold mining adventures, his family, his friends, and his dog. He has over 19K followers as of April 2023.
• He enjoys fishing as a hobby and sometimes posts photos of his catches on social media.
•  He has three children from two marriages: Dylan, Emily, and Luke. He loves spending time with them and often takes them on his gold mining trips.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Full name	Shawn Pomrenke
Age	50 years old
Date of Birth	March 26, 1975
Place of Birth	Minnesota, USA
Education	Beltz High School
Profession	Gold Miner, Reality Television Personality
Net worth	$3M (estimated)
Wife	Jeanette Koelsch(ex),
Former Fiancee	Jenny Schield
Girlfriend	Monica Gomez
Children	Catherine Pomrenke, Dylan Pomrenke, Emily Pomrenke, Luke Pomrenke
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Caucasian
Zodiac Sign	Aries
Siblings	Erick Pomrenke, Nikki Pomrenke
Parents	Steve Pomrenke, Catherine Gray
Social media handle	Facebook