Biographies

Stephen R. Connolly, Esq., CFI, CFEI
President/Senior Investigative Consultant
Curriculum Vitae

Mr. Connolly has served as President of the corporation since 2000.  He also currently practices as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Putnam County, West Virginia with a continued focus on arson prosecution. He is the Prosecutor’s Liaison to the Putnam County Fire Investigation Team where he served formerly as a Senior Investigator. Mr. Connolly is the General Counsel and a Director for the West Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (since 2006).

Education:

• J.D. - West Virginia University;
• M.R.A./B.A.- Christian Psychology;
• B.S./A.A.S. - Criminal Justice;
• A.S. - Fire Science.

Experience:

• He has been a member of the Teays Valley Fire Department holding offices of Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal (since 1995);
• the Star City Fire Department (1 year) and a member of the Dunbar Fire Department (2 years).

Prior to his current endeavors, Mr. Connolly worked as an Assistant State Fire Marshal (5 years) after a successful 550 hour internship with the office. Additionally, he worked as a Paralegal/Investigator for the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office - Worker’s Compensation Unit (3 years).  He is a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI/Pro-Board), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (NAFI) and a Certified Fire and Live Burn Instructor (WVU/RESA/Pro-Board) having taught at the National Fire Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, West Virginia Prosecuting Attorney’s Institute, West Virginia University Fire Service Extension, West Virginia State University and numerous regional fire schools. He is a member of the IAAI, IAAI-WV, NAFI, WVPISP, NDAA and Putnam County Firemen’s Association. Mr. Connolly has testified as an expert witness before West Virginia circuit courts in addition to providing testimony in deposition and before the grand jury in pending matters of the State and Federal districts respectively.

 

Michael A. Price, CFEI
Senior Investigative Consultant

Mr. Price has worked as an associate investigator with Federated since 2006. Mr. Price also works for the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority and Putnam County Office of Emergency Services.  He is an investigator for Putnam County Fire Investigation Team.  He has nearly completed a double major in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Marshall University.  He has been a member of the Teays Valley Fire Department holding offices of Lieutenant and Training Captain (since 2000); the Saint Albans Fire Department (1 year) and the Nitro Fire Department (2 years).  He is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (NAFI), a Hazardous Materials Technician and a Certified Fire and Live Burn Instructor (WVU/RESA) having taught at several regional fire schools. He is a member of the IAAI, NAFI, WVPISP, Putnam County Firemen’s Association and Kanawha County Fire Association.

Associate Investigators

Jonathan J. Jorgensen

Mr. Jorgensen is an associate with Federated (since 2008).  Mr. Jorgensen also works for the Putnam County Office of Emergency Services.  He is an investigator for the Putnam County Fire Investigation Team.  He has been a member of the Teays Valley Fire Department since 2006.  He is a member of the IAAI-WV, WVPISP and Putnam County Firemen’s Association.

Frederick J. Kinder

Mr. Kinder is an associate with Federated (since 2009).  Mr. Kinder is owner of Kinder Communications, LLC, along with working for the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department stationed in Winchester, Virginia.  Mr. Kinder holds an Associate of Science in Fire Science.  He was formerly an investigator for the Putnam County Fire Investigation Team.  He has been a member of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Department (since 2006); Bancroft Fire Department (3 years) and Baker Heights Fire Department (2 years).  He is a Certified Firefighter and a member of the IAFF - Local 3401 and IAAI-WV.