Alicia Calzada is the Deputy General Counsel of the National Press Photographers Association. She practices media law, including First Amendment, copyright, and contract law. In addition to representing NPPA, Alicia has spent her legal career representing various national and local media corporations as well as individual writers and photographers. Based in San Antonio, Texas, Alicia has worked on a variety of legislative initiatives in support of journalists and photographers. Prior to becoming an attorney, Alicia was a photojournalist for 20 years.

With over 30 years of innovation in digital forensics, Ms. Schroader has developed cutting-edge recovery software for everything from smartphones to cloud storage. She is the architect of the "Forensics of Everything" (FoE) framework, a holistic approach to evidence that has set global standards for seizure and processing protocols. Beyond her technical contributions, she is an influential educator and founder of industry certifications, dedicated to shaping the future of the field through her teaching, writing, and speaking.

Chris Reeves serves as Director of Cyber & Technical Investigations at Specialized Investigations Consultants (SIC), where he leads the firm’s cyber-enabled, OSINT, and technical investigative operations. A United States Air Force veteran, Chris served in space operations and cyber warfare roles, developing deep experience in advanced systems, intelligence analysis, and mission-critical operations that directly inform his investigative work today. Chris specializes in complex digital and technical investigations, including cyber and OSINT-driven cases, digital forensics, due diligence, and technology-assisted surveillance support. He is known for integrating advanced cybersecurity tradecraft with disciplined investigative methodology to produce intelligence that is precise, defensible, and actionable. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and associate degrees in General Studies, Cybersecurity, and Space Operations. His professional certifications include Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP), Open Source Certified (OSC), and CFI–FTER Forensic Interviewing, reinforcing his technical credibility and ability to support high-stakes investigative and litigation matters with discretion and rigor.

Ben Owen

INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST & CO-FOUNDER – THE OSINT GROUP

Ben Owen is an internationally recognised intelligence professional and keynote speaker with more than 25 years’ experience operating across military, government intelligence, and commercial environments.

A former British military sniper and intelligence officer, Ben spent a decade working within British intelligence before moving into the private sector, where he now specialises in cyber-enabled intelligence collection, digital investigations, and threat analysis. He is the co-founder of The OSINT Group, a specialist consultancy that helps organisations and individuals understand and reduce the risks created by their digital footprint.

Ben works globally with law enforcement, military units, intelligence teams, and private organisations, delivering intelligence-led assessments, investigations, and training. His work focuses on how hostile actors exploit online data to conduct cyber-attacks, fraud, surveillance, and targeted operations, often long before a breach or incident is detected.

Danni Brooke

INVESTIGATIONS & INTELLIGENCE SPECIALIST, AUTHOR & CO-FOUNDER – THE OSINT GROUP

Danni Brooke is an investigations and intelligence specialist with over a decade of experience operating within covert policing and complex investigative environments. She spent more than 10 years working as an undercover officer with the Metropolitan Police, where she was deployed on high-risk, high-profile operations targeting serious and organised crime, including drug trafficking networks.

Throughout her policing career, Danni worked extensively in intelligence gathering, evidence development, source handling, and long-term covert operations, supporting major criminal investigations from initial intelligence collection through to prosecution.

Danni is the co-founder of The OSINT Group, a specialist cyber and intelligence consultancy that helps organisations and individuals understand, manage, and reduce risk arising from their digital footprint. The group is recognised globally for delivering intelligence-led assessments, investigations, and specialist training in online investigations and digital risk.

An award-winning author, Danni has written The Girl for the Job and Undercover Copper, offering rare insight into the realities of covert policing and intelligence work. She now works internationally with law enforcement agencies, corporate security teams, and private organisations, advising on investigative methodology, intelligence-led risk mitigation, and how digital information is exploited by hostile actors.

Eli W. Wilkerson, MBA, is a professional investigator, digital forensic examiner, and private intelligence consultant based in Amarillo, Texas, with more than 16 years of experience spanning law enforcement, military service, corrections, higher education, and private investigations. He is the owner and lead investigator of Praxis Detection SVCS, LLC, where he conducts criminal and civil investigations, digital evidence acquisition and examination, OSINT/SOCMINT, litigation support, and cyber-enabled investigations across surface, deep, and dark web environments.
A former Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission Agent and U.S. Army Civil Affairs Officer, Eli has investigated serious allegations involving digital evidence, human trafficking, child exploitation, fraud, narcotics, and cybercrime. He has been court-appointed and recognized as an expert investigator in digital, electronic, and internet data, and previously served as an adjunct professor of Digital Forensics at Amarillo College.
Eli holds an extensive credential portfolio including Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), Certified Expert in Cyber Investigations (CECI), Certified Social Media Intelligence Expert (CSMIE), Certified Digital Currency Investigator (CDCI), Certified International Investigator (CII), and Certified All Source Intelligence Professional (CASIP), among others. He holds a Texas Private Investigator license, Master Peace Officer certification (TCOLE), and is a TCOLE-credentialed Basic and Firearms Instructor. He is currently completing a Master of Arts in International Relations & Global Security at American Military University.

Isaac Peck is the Publisher of Working PI magazine and the President of OREP, a leading provider of liability insurance for private investigators. In his 15th year at OREP, Peck has extensive experience advising professionals on risk management, liability, state board complaints, and claims. Today, over 14,000 professionals trust OREP with their insurance and Working PI is the most widely read magazine for private investigators nationwide (25,000+ copies every issue). Peck is a licensed insurance broker in 50 states and holds a Master’s Degree in Accounting.

Jay Marin is the President and CEO of Specialized Investigations Consultants, bringing more than a decade of distinguished experience from both local and federal law enforcement. His career in the public sector is marked by exceptional performance, specialized expertise, and a strong reputation for integrity and results. Jay is honored to be one of only 75 Board Accredited Investigators (BAI) in the United States, a distinction that reflects his commitment to excellence and the highest standards of investigative practice. Widely recognized as a leader in the investigative community, Jay is a former President of the Florida Association of Private Investigators (FAPI) and currently serves as the National Secretary for the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI). He also serves as a Director of The National Council of Investigation and Security Services (NCISS). He is also an active member of multiple professional investigative and security organizations nationwide, including the World Association of Detectives (WAD). With an unwavering dedication to professionalism, ethics, and innovative investigative strategies, Jay leads Specialized Investigations Consultants with a clear mission: delivering precise, reliable, and actionable intelligence for clients throughout the country.

Jeff Shaw is a seasoned senior executive with more than 28 years of experience in the Information Technology and Cybersecurity sectors. Prior to joining Cybercheck, Jeff was a founder of Cybersecurity firm Bulletproof, known as a premier provider of security services, and recognized as Microsoft Global Security Partner of the Year in 2021.

Since joining Cybercheck in 2022 as COO, Jeff has overseen the commercialization of its intelligence products in the Law Enforcement and Private Investigation sectors. As Cybercheck expands market share, Jeff's years of experience in client service delivery and scaling operations have been instrumental in Cybercheck's steady growth.

Jeff is an Electrical Engineer by trade who pivoted to the Information Technology sector and has applied the same rigor and structured solution development to Cybercheck's business portfolio. He has held numerous designations over the years at various times in his career, including SANS GIAC and CISSP certifications. Jeff is an alumnus of the Wallace McCain Institute, an entrepreneurial business leadership program.

Jeff has been the driving force behind Cybercheck’s latest pivot into the Private Investigations market. He has worked with leading PI firms to translate Cybercheck's advanced intelligence capabilities into powerful, cost-effective use-case solutions for PIs. Cybercheck now supports investigations ranging from a dozen scenarios, from skip tracing to insurance fraud and criminal defense, creating new and exciting capabilities for the Private Investigations market.

Justin D. Hodson, CPI is the Founder and President of Hodson P.I., LLC, one of California's leading full-service private investigations firms. Licensed since 2003, Justin has spent more than two decades building a respected investigations company known for its professionalism, innovation, ethical standards, and client service.

Starting from the ground up, Justin successfully grew Hodson PI into a large-scale, multi-million-dollar investigative firm employing a diverse team of investigators, analysts, case managers, and specialists serving attorneys, insurance carriers, corporations, government entities, and private clients throughout California and beyond. Under his leadership, the company has expanded into advanced investigative services including social media intelligence, OSINT investigations, AI-assisted research, EDR downloads, digital evidence analysis, and complex field operations.

Justin was honored as the **2024 Investigator of the Year** and has been recognized throughout the industry for his commitment to raising professional standards while embracing innovation and operational excellence. He has also been nominated for the prestigious **Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award** for his business leadership and entrepreneurial growth.

In addition to overseeing one of the state's most progressive investigative firms, Justin is passionate about mentoring investigators and helping agency owners build sustainable and ethical businesses. He frequently speaks on topics including private investigator business development, marketing, leadership, ethics, operations management, employee culture, client relations, and courtroom professionalism.

Known for his direct, practical, and real-world approach, Justin combines investigative expertise with firsthand business experience to help professionals understand what it truly takes to build a profitable, scalable, and respected investigations firm in today's competitive marketplace.

Katie Thomas is the President, Co-Founder, and an Investigative Genetic Genealogist with Moxxy Forensic Investigations. She holds a Bachelor's degree in psychology from Texas A&M University.

Katie has over 15 years of investigative social work experience, and over 20 years of genealogical and supervisory experience. She is an Area Director, Regional Manager and member of the Potential Match Panel board for the Doe Network and holds a Lean Six Sigma green belt certification.

Katie is a graduate of the Forensic Genealogy Training for Law Enforcement program. She is a member of the National Genealogical Society (NGS) and the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG). Katie also serves as the 2nd Vice President of the Montgomery County Genealogical and Historical Society.

In addition to her work with Moxxy, Katie is proud to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Katrina National Memorial Foundation based in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Mark Carroll is the Founder and CEO of INTEGRIT Risk Services, a nationwide investigative and risk management firm headquartered in Texas. Born and raised in Dallas, Carroll brings more than four decades of experience in intelligence operations, private investigations, insurance claims investigations, and specialized risk management.

Mike LaCorte, based in London, UK, is the CEO of Conflict International, a global investigations firm he has led since 2008 following the merger of two specialist agencies. With more than 25 years of experience, he has overseen and conducted 100's of investigations in over 60 countries, establishing himself as one of the profession's most influential experts. Mike currently serves as President of the Association of British Investigators and Secretary General of the Internationale Kommission der Detektiv-Verbnde (IKD), the European body dedicated to harmonising investigative standards across member nations. He is also a past President and multi-term Chairman of the World Association of Detectives, where he continues to hold a senior position on the executive committee.
His work spans globally in complex cross-border multi-jurisdiction investigations. Mike is a regular keynote speaker and moderator at global industry conferences, advising on how to conduct international investigation successfully. He played a supporting role in the development of the ABI's ICO-approved UK GDPR Code of Conduct, the first governance framework of its kind for private investigators in the UK. A frequent contributor to leading industry magazines, Mike was the only investigator outside North America to be named PI Magazine's Top Investigator for 2024. He also hosts the Leaders Podcast, interviewing prominent figures across investigations, legal and intelligence backgrounds. Mike is currently authoring a comprehensive guide for investigators working internationally, with a mission to elevate standards and support the next generation of professionals worldwide.

32-year IT/Cyber veteran and 26 years as a University Professor of Cyber and Digital Forensics & Incident Response. 25-year FBI InfraGard member, past president, and current Healthcare Sector Chief of the N. Texas InfraGard, Member of the North Texas Crime Commission's Cybercrime Committee, US Secret Service Cyber Fraud Taskforce, and a Fusion Liaison officer for the North Texas DHS Fusion Center. Former VP of IT at Cornerstone Credit Union League, Director for Pricewaterhouse, and Global Audit Manager for CitiGroup, Mike is now the CEO and incident response lead for Blackswan Cybersecurity, Executive Director for the U.S. Cyber Defense Center, Chair of the Business and Computer Science programs at Weatherford College, and a Lecturer on Digital Forensics and Investigations for UT San Antonio.

Robert Slencak is a seasoned digital forensics and cybersecurity investigator with over 25 years of experience in high-stakes investigations.

During his career as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, he served in the Electronic Crimes Special Agent Program (ECSAP) and the Cleveland Electronic Crimes Task Force, handling complex cases involving fraud, network intrusions, and digital evidence recovery. At the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch, as one of only two digital forensics specialists, he conducted examinations of vehicles, mobile devices, and computers in felony investigations, including homicides, sexual assaults, and missing persons cases.

In the private sector, Robert has led global strategies for incident response, vulnerability management, automotive cyber forensics, and offensive security. He has directed international teams responsible for policy investigations, digital forensics and incident response, cybersecurity training, and business resilience, while serving as a law enforcement liaison on major cases.

He holds multiple certifications, including EnCE, MCFE, CCO/CCPA, GCIH, GPEN, GOSI, and a CISO Certificate from Carnegie Mellon University. Robert combines deep technical expertise with a collaborative, approachable style that builds strong partnerships across law enforcement, legal, and industry teams—delivering clear, reliable results that help organizations manage risk and protect what matters most.

Founder, The Grafton Group & TSD | President of FALI | Investigative Strategist | TSCM Expert | National Trainer | CPS, FBCI

With more than four decades of field-proven experience in investigations, executive protection, and counter-surveillance operations, Tim O'Rourke has become one of Florida's most recognized and respected security professionals.

He is the founder of The Grafton Group, a corporate investigations and risk mitigation firm based in Tampa, and TSD (Technical Services Division), one of the most advanced Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) teams operating in the Southeastern U.S.

Tim currently serves as the President of the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI), the state's largest professional association for private investigators, where he also holds Lifetime Member status for over 30 years. His career and training credentials have earned him recognition from U.S. Special Operations Command, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and placement on the cover of PI Magazine's Top Investigators of 2024.

Wes Bearden is the Chairman for Bearden Intelligence, Inc. a private investigative founded in Dallas, Texas in 1972. Wes is the past president of the World Association of Detectives, Inc. and the National Council of Investigation and Security Services, Inc. He is TALI's past General Counsel and a Texas Certified Investigator. Wes is also a licensed practicing attorney in Texas, New York, Louisiana, and the District of Columbia. He is the Managing Partner for Bearden Trial Lawyers, PLLC