Officers
President
Mark Garner
MAG Private Investigations
Mark Garner is the owner and lead investigator of MAG Private Investigations in Newport, New York. With a distinguished career rooted in law enforcement, Mark brings decades of hands-on experience, insight and professionalism to the private sector.
A retired sergeant, investigator with extensive background in criminal investigations, surveillance and evidence gathering, Mark founded MAG Private Investigations with a mission to provide discreet, thorough, and result-driven investigative services. His background gives him a unique edge-combining street-smart intuition with methodical, evidence-based investigation techniques.
Mark is also an avid scuba diver and accomplished photographer, often using his skills behind the lens to document cases and support field operations. His trusted Nikon D850 has become a key tool in his work, capturing critical evidence that makes a difference in complex cases.
Known for his integrity, attention to detail, and restless pursuit of the truth, Mark has earned the respect of clients, colleagues, and legal professionals alike. Whether working with private individuals, businesses of legal teams, he approaches each case with the same level of commitment and professionalism that defined his years in law enforcement.
1st Vice President
Timothy Hardiman
Viceroy Investigations & Consulting LLC
Timothy J. Hardiman is currently the owner of Viceroy Investigations & Consulting LLC. Tim is a 23-year veteran of the NYPD. He retired as an Inspector serving as the Commanding Officer of the 47th Precinct in the Bronx. Mr. Hardiman has extensive investigative experience having served as the Commanding Officer of the 71st Precinct Detective Squad and the Brooklyn Special Victims Squad. He also served as a supervisor in the Principal Crime Unit of the Intelligence Division.
Mr. Hardiman has provided instruction at the NYPD’s Criminal Investigation Course as well as its Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Course. He has been a presenter at several seminars dealing with Sex Crimes and Child Abuse investigations.
Prior to joining the NYPD, Mr. Hardiman served in the United States Marine Corps as a Nuclear Biological and Chemical Warfare NCO.
Mr. Hardiman is an instructor with the university of Louisville-Southern Police Institute’s Sex Crimes Investigation class. In this capacity, he developed and teaches three days of instruction. Topics include:
- Sexual Assault Myths and stereotypes
- Rape Trauma Syndrome and Emotional First Aid
- Interviewing
- Interrogation
- Physical evidence recognition & recovery
- Social Media Exploitation
- Cellular phone exploitation & Digital photo exploitation
- Controlled communications
- Stress Management for Sexual Assault Investigators
Mr. Hardiman has been the Technical Consultant for the long-running police procedural Law & Order: SVU since 2004.
2nd Vice President
Gary W Lee
The Westbrook Group NY LLC
Gary has been a licensed private investigator since 2008. He is a retired Police Sergeant with over 33 years of law enforcement experience with the first 15 years being assigned to an Emergency Service Unit as a Police/Paramedic. He served on the Capital Region Forensic Hazardous Materials Response Unit for 14 years. This was a multi-jurisdictional unit that responded to criminally motivated hazardous material incidents collecting and field testing evidence to be used in future criminal proceedings. As a Team Leader with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, Gary leads assessement teams conducting indepth assessments of police departments throughout New York State. Gary is an Investigator with the Albany County Assigned Counsel program.Gary is a Counter Terrorism Instructor with the New York State Division of Criminal Services.His investigative specialties include criminal and civil matters, background investigations, due diligence and surveillance.
Secretary
Jeremy Skehan
Claritas Investigations, Inc.
Jeremy Skehan is the owner of Claritas Investigations in New York City. Founded in 2019, Claritas Investigations primarily works with insurance carriers to investigate claims referred to their Special Investigations Units and attorneys defending civil actions. Before founding Claritas Investigations, Jeremy worked for several years as an investigator and regional manager for one of the largest investigative firms in the country, overseeing the daily operations of dozens of investigators across the eastern United States.
Treasurer
Nikolaus Fazzalari
The NGH Group, Inc.
Nikolaus Fazzalari serves as the Director of Operations of The NGH Group, Inc. Mr. Fazzalari oversees the day-to-day operations of the firm. He is also a computer forensic examiner and has participated in and conducted hundreds of investigations, computer forensic engagements, e-discovery projects, and cryptocurrency and blockchain forensic matters related to high-net-worth matrimonial cases; the investigation of financial fraud, insurance fraud, numerous forms of cybercrime, and “traditional” crime through digital forensics. Mr. Fazzalari earned his MBA from St. John’s University and holds the Exterro ACE certification, Cellebrite CCPA certification, Cellebrite CCO certification, and is a licensed Private Investigator.
Chairperson
Matthew Spaier
Satellite Investigations, Inc.
Matthew Spaier is the owner of Satellite Investigations in New York City, New York. Founded in 2005, Satellite Investigations specializes in Plaintiff personal injury investigations. They have worked with hundreds of Law firms and have assisted in the recovery or award of millions of dollars. Matthew is a John Jay College of Criminal Justice grad and has lectured there about investigations. He has also lectured to the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. He has served on the ALDONYS board since 2009 and also serves on the board for the National Council of Investigative and Security Services (NCISS). Matthew owns and operates Investigators-toolbox.com, an online resource community for investigators and he hosts, Pi-Perspectives a weekly podcast for private investigators. Matthew was named PI-Magazine's Investigator of the year in 2021
Region 1
Nicholas G. Himonidis
The NGH Group, Inc
With more than 30 years of professional experience in private investigations, computer forensics and law, Mr. Himonidis has participated in, conducted, and supervised thousands of investigations, computer forensic engagements, e-discovery projects, and cryptocurrency and blockchain forensic matters. He has managed the investigative and e-discovery phases of complex, high-net-worth matrimonial cases; the investigation of financial fraud, including civil RICO claims, insurance fraud, fraudulent claims against the U.S. government, and embezzlement; and numerous forms of cybercrime and “traditional” crime through digital forensics. Mr. Himonidis has written and lectured extensively on e-discovery, digital evidence, cryptocurrency and blockchain forensics, financial investigation, and legal and ethical issues related to expert witnesses. He is court-qualified as an expert witness in computer forensics and the authentication of digital evidence and has acted as a court-appointed computer forensic and cryptocurrency expert. He is a licensed attorney, a licensed private investigator, a Certified Fraud Examiner, a Certified Computer Forensic Specialist, and a Certified Cryptocurrency Forensic Investigator.
Region 3
Erik Marvin
JEMS Investigations LLC
Erik Marvin leads JEMS Investigations LLC, a trusted private investigation and security firm in Westchester County, New York. His team brings expertise and discretion to child custody and matrimonial cases, civil and criminal litigation, insurance and missing persons investigations, as well as executive protection and process serving
Region 5
Douglas M. Amann
Amric Associates, Ltd.
Douglas Amann is currently the President of AMRIC Assoc. Ltd. Formed in 1994 by former FBI Agents, AMRIC is headquartered in East Syracuse and provides services throughout upstate NY to include a wide variety of investigative and security specialties to the legal community, corporations, government and insurance industry. Mr. Amann has over 27 years combined experience in field investigations, training and case management. He currently oversees the daily operations of the organization.
At Large, South
Paul Italiano
Guardian Shield Inc.
Retired Sergeant City of Pougheepsie Police Department. Served in Criminal Intelligence, Narcotics, Crime Scene, Emergency Services, Emergency Management and as the Director of Training and Developement Support Services Division. Former Detective Sergeant / Commanding Officer of the Wappingers Falls Police Department Detective Divsion. Current Part-Time Sergeant Brewster Police Department former Explosives Detection K-9 Handler and Explosives / IED recognition Specialist. Former NYS Emergency Medical Technician, County Hazardous Materials Response Lieutenant. New York State Rescue Task Force Rescue Specialist. New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Certified Police Instructor, General Topics, Firearms, Crime Scene, Terrorism and Counter Terrorism. Extensive training and experiience in Criminal Investigation, Crime Scene Processsing and Evidence Handling, Surveillance and Counter-Terrorism Intelligence. Former Terrorism Intelligence Specialist United States Coast Guard NY/NJ. Former DOJ Secret Security Clearance. Past Chairman NYS Counter-Terrorism Zone 14. Owner of Guardian Shield Inc. since January 2015. Current Executive Protection Officer to a number of High Net Worth and Celebrities in Manhattan, New York.
