Florida

STEVEN J. LICHORAT: NAFI/CFEI – Port St. Lucie, FL

Steve Lichorat is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Steve has nearly 40 years of experience in public service, more than 20 of which were spent in the fire service. He has served in the positions of volunteer firefighter, fire chief, commissioner, and senior fire, arson, and explosives investigator. Steve retired as Deputy Fire Coordinator of Schenectady County in 2022. In that position, he administered fire training programs, hazardous materials response teams, mutual aid programs, and a mass casualty response plan. Steve is also a federally licensed drone pilot and served as the key stakeholder in command of drone search and rescue missions, as well as incident command, during various missions, ranging from fire response, ice and water rescue, and crowd and community safety controls during events. Steve is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the National Association of Fire investigators.

TIMOTHY C. MARTIN, PE– Tampa, FL

Tim Martin is a professional engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo and more than 20 years of professional experience. Tim’s career includes extensive experience in all facets of electrical engineering, including troubleshooting, research, design, development, and installation. His work has included forensic engineering with failure investigations on electrical products, industrial accidents, electrocutions/shocks, appliance defect claims, power surge analysis, and lightning damage assessment, as well as residential, commercial, industrial, vehicle, and marine fires.

BARRY E. WALLACE: Professional Engineer – Navarre, FL

Barry Wallace has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida and more than 20 years of experience in the electrical field. He began as an electrical and electronic repair division supervisor and electronic technician in the U.S. Navy. As an engineer intern for USSOCOM, he researched disruptive technologies related to human-machine teaming and built an Unmanned Aircraft System. Most recently, Barry worked as a Research Engineer for the Institute of Applied Engineering at the University of South Florida, where he reported on his analysis and testing of Internet of Things (IoT) and home automation devices, with a focus on the RF signature and wireless protocol of each device. He is a member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

WILLIAM T. MINOGUE: IAAI/CFI, NAFI/CFEI, Orlando Metro, FL

William Minogue is a Certified Fire Investigator with the International Association of Arson Investigators, as well as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Bill has over 30 years of fire service experience, including serving as a firefighter, captain, first and second assistant chief, and chief. He also spent 19 years as an Essex County New York deputy fire coordinator and 10 years as a county fire investigator He is a certified HVAC technician and is an experienced expert witness in fire-related court proceedings. Prior to his move to Florida, he was a New York State ProBoard Certified Fire Investigator and a State of New York Certified Fire Investigator Level I and II. Prior to his retirement as Lieutenant from the New York State Department of Corrections, Bill was a New York State Municipal Police Training Council Instructor and a New York State American Correctional Association Instructor.

JOHN W. CAVANAUGH: IAAI/CFI, NAFI/CFEI – Fort Myers, FL

John Cavanaugh is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Throughout John’s 20 years in law enforcement, he investigated felony and misdemeanor crimes and took part in undercover narcotics investigations. During his tenure with the police department, John was assigned to the fire investigation unit for the Town of Brighton, NY, where he conducted origin and cause investigations for 18 years. He also served in the volunteer fire service for more than 20 years in capacities ranging from firefighter to training officer to chief of the department. He retired as Assistant Fire Marshal of the Town of Wheatland, NY, where he was responsible for fire inspections and code enforcement. John is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the New York and Florida Chapters of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the National Association of Fire Investigators.

MARK FREDRICKSON: IAAI/CFI- Venice, FL

Mark Fredrickson is a court qualified expert witness. He is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. Mark served as a New York City Firefighter in the boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx for twenty years. He served as a Fire Marshal for the department from 2009 until his retirement in 2017. In 2013, Mark was assigned to the Auto Fraud Squad, where he investigated over 165 motor vehicle fires. Mark holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

PATRICK B. DUGAN: IAAI-CFI // NAFI-CFEI, CVFI – Daytona, FL

Pat Dugan is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. Pat is also a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. In addition, Pat holds an HVAC Technician certification through the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Pat retired as Deputy Chief and Platoon Commander of the Schenectady Fire Department in 2002 after a 33-year career. Prior to that, he served as deputy chief of training, fire captain, paramedic lieutenant, and fire lieutenant of the same department. Outside of his work in the fire service, he has worked on automobiles for more than 35 years. Pat is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, as well as the Florida and New York chapters of the same. He also has membership in the International Fire Marshals Association, the Schenectady Permanent Fireman’s Association, the Capital District Fire Investigators, and the New York State Fire Investigators Association.

TIMOTHY P. YORK: IAAI-CFI // NAFI-CFEI – Tampa, FL

Tim York is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators and a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He is also a court-qualified origin and cause expert witness in Superior and District Courts. Tim spent almost 30 years in the fire service, beginning as a volunteer firefighter for the Town of Blue Hill Fire Department in Maine. He spent the last 16 years of his career with the Office of the Maine State Fire Marshal, serving as a fire investigations supervisor, senior fire investigator, and public safety inspector. Tim left government service in 2015 and moved to Florida, where he continues to work for NEFCO.

Tim has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia Southern University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Maine, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University. He is also a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Florida and Maine Chapters of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the National Association of Fire Investigators, the American Society for Public Administration, and the Institution of Fire Engineers.

JOHN L. COULUM: IAAI-CFI // NAFI-CFEI – St. Augustine, FL

John Coulum is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. He has more than 21 years of experience in the fire service, retiring as Engine Company Lieutenant of the Kingston Fire Department in Kingston, NY. He was formally a fire investigator for the Ulster County Fire Investigation Unit in Kingston, NY and was a member of their Arson Task Force. John was also a Hazmat Team Operations Leader.
John holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Fire Service Administration from Empire State College, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Plattsburgh State University, and an Associate of Occupational Studies in Fire Protection Technology from Corning Community College. He is also a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, the National Association of Fire Investigators, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators.

MARK A. WILLIAMS: IAAI-CFI // NAFI-CFEI – Montgomery, AL

Mark Williams is a Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Mark has seven years of law enforcement experience in addition to sixteen and a half years of fire service experience within Montgomery Fire & Rescue, including serving as a firefighter, fire sergeant, fire lieutenant, and fire captain. Previously a fire investigator for the city of Montgomery, he has been examining fire scenes since 2006. Mark is also a member of the Alabama Association of Arson Investigators as well as a member of the National Association of Fire Investigators.

WILLIAM A. FULTON: IAAI-CFI // NAFI-CFEI – (Covering Florida Panhandle) Montgomery, AL

Buddy Fulton is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. He has more than 28 years of experience in the fire service, serving in the roles of firefighter, sergeant, training officer, public education officer, and fire lieutenant. Buddy most recently served as a fire suppression lieutenant for the Montgomery Fire Department, retiring in 2020, and previously served in the investigative division of the same department. He has been an instructor for the Alabama Fire College and is a court-qualified expert in the state of Alabama.

JEFFREY BRYANT: NAFI/CFEI – Tallahassee, FL

Jeffrey Bryant is an experienced private fire investigator and has testified as an expert witness in both district and circuit court proceedings. He is a Certified Fire and Explosions Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. He has over 27 years of experience in the fire service, recently retiring as a lieutenant from the Detroit Fire Department’s Arson Section. Jeffrey was a certified inspector and instructor by the State of Michigan. He was a fire investigator and a sworn police officer, and he participated in over 800 origin and cause investigations working with the Michigan State Police, Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives on larger investigations.

RICHARD A. PETERSON, II: IAAI/CFI, NAFI /CFEI, IAMI/CMI – Coral Springs, FL

Richard Peterson is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Arson Investigators. He is also a Certified Marine Investigator through the International Association of Marine Investigators. Rick has instructed numerous fire and electrical investigation courses as well as marine fire investigation courses throughout the State of Florida. Rick has over 20 years of professional experience in the investigation, analysis and determination of fire origin and cause involving structures, vehicles, heavy equipment, and marine craft. In addition to his experience as a private fire investigator, Rick has experience as an insurance adjuster, and is an expert witness in fire-related court proceedings. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology with an emphasis in Fire Investigation and a Minor in Law Enforcement.