South Carolina

KELLY L. ESKERS: IAAI/CFI – Central, SC

Kelly Eskers is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. Kelly has more than 30 years of experience in the fire service. He currently serves as a Lieutenant and Shift Commander for the Marshfield Fire & Rescue Department. Kelly has also served as a fire inspector, relief deputy chief, shift commander, field training officer, and firefighter. His knowledge and experience in the field includes all aspects of fire department operations and safety, fire inspection, and emergency medical services. Kelly serves as an executive board member of the Wood County Task Force and is a member of the International Association of Firefighters, the Wisconsin Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin. Outside of the fire service, Kelly is a skilled carpenter in the building construction industry.

MICHAEL S. LOWDER: IAAI/CFI – Myrtle Beach, SC

Michael Lowder is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has more than 14 years of experience with the Myrtle Beach Fire Department where he served as a lead fire investigator. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation from Eastern Kentucky University and a Master of Science in Forensic Science from Oklahoma State University with emphasis on Arson, Explosives, Firearms and Toolmarks Investigation. He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, and the National Fire Protection Association.

EDWARD TUCKER: IAAI/CFI, NAFI/CFEI – Fort Mill, S.C.

Eddie Tucker is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators, a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators and a Certified Fire Investigator by the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. He has over 30 years of experience in fire service. Eddie spent 14 years in the Fire Department of New York including 3 years as a fire marshal. He began work as a private fire investigator in 2013 and is an experienced expert witness in fire-related court proceedings. Eddie is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the National Association of Fire Investigators, the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the International Association of Firefighters.

WILLIAM J. MARTIN: IAAI/CFI – Myrtle Beach, SC

William J. Martin is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators and through the National Board on Fire Service (Pro Board). He has also served as a police officer and sergeant with the New York City Police Department for over 20 years and as the chief fire investigator with Horry County Fire and Rescue in South Carolina, where he supervised the fire investigation unit, for 15 years.

A. BUD THAMES: IAAI/CFI – Charleston, SC

Bud Thames is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. Bud recently retired after serving as the Battalion Chief of the Mount Pleasant fire Department for over twenty years. He has over twenty-five years of experience in the fire and law enforcement services. In 2015, Bud served as the President of the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, and previously served on the Board of Directors of the same organization. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Management from South Wesleyan University.

SCOTT A. MROZ: IAAI/CFI – York, SC

Scott Mroz is a Certified Fire Investigator, Certified Motor Vehicle Fire Investigator, and Certified Evidence Collection Technician through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has been with the Charlotte Fire Department for nine years and had previously served 10 years with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety in Michigan. He also performed four years of active duty service and then reserve duty with the United States Navy as a firefighter. Scott was given the honor of being named as part of the Fire Investigation Team of the Year in 2012 and 2017 by the North Carolina International Association of Arson Investigators. He has more than 20 years of experience in the fire service, having held positions as a firefighter, a captain, and a fire marshal. He holds an Associates Degree in Fire Science from Mid-Michigan Community College.

BRYAN L. BEASON: IAAI/CFI, NAFI/CFEI – Chapin, SC

Bryan Beason 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. His experience includes ten years in law enforcement, fourteen years in the fire service, and ten years as a SIU investigator in the insurance industry. Bryan has a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University.

JOHN L. MARTIN: IAAI/CFI,  NAFI/CFEI, CVFI – Charlotte, NC

John Martin is a Fire Investigator Technician, Certified Fire Investigator, and Evidence Collection Technician 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. John has more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement and six in the fire service. During his last 15 years in law enforcement, he served as a property crimes detective, where he conducted fire investigations and other types of criminal investigations. John holds an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Ashworth College in Norcross, GA, and completed basic law enforcement training at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, NC. Additionally, he has testified in more than 2,000 criminal trials and has given expert witness testimony in fire investigations, including origin and cause. John is an active member of the International Association of Arson Investigators at the international level, as well as the North and South Carolina chapters, where he has held several positions to include President, Board of Director, Ethics Committee, and North Carolina / South Carolina Joint Conference Training Committee.

THOMAS A. ZIMPLEMAN:  ASE-Certified Master Automotive Technician, IAAI/CFI, IAAI/FIT(V), NAFI/CFEI – Myrtle Beach, SC

Tom Zimpleman is a Certified Master Automotive Technician through the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and has 25 years of experience as an automotive technician. Additionally, he is a Certified Fire Investigator and Fire Investigation Technician with a Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement through the International Association of Arson Investigators and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Tom has more than 15 years of experience as a firefighter and served as a fire marshal for four years. He is currently Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety for the Murrells Inlet Fire Department.

Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration with a concentration in Fire Investigation through Columbia Southern University. He is also a member of the International Association of Fire Investigators, the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Fire Investigators, the National Association of Fire Investigators, and the South Carolina Fire Marshal Association.

CHRIS JOHNSON: IAAI/CFI – Aiken, SC

Chris Johnson is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has over 15 years of experience in the fire industry, including his former position as Forensic/Fire Investigator for the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office. He maintains membership with the International Association of Arson Investigators and the South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators and is a court-qualified expert witness.