Mark J. Casalinova
President & CEO
Mark J. Casalinova has been a fire investigator since 1984. Mark graduated from the University of Akron with an Associates of Applied Sciences Degree in Fire Protection Technology in 1986 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Technical Education in Fire Protection Technology in 1987.
He founded Casalinova Investigation, Inc. in Akron, Ohio in September of 1994. While working numerous fires, he taught as an adjunct instructor for the University Of Akron’s Fire Program from 1986-1992 and returned from 2000-2007 to introduce and advanced the Fire Investigations Program. Even when the National Fire Protection Association Guideline for Fire Investigators (NFPA 921) wasn’t popular, he was a huge advocate for it. Today (NFPA 921) is the most widely used fire investigation publication in the World.
Mark has been a member of three widely recognized Fire Investigation organizations, the International Association of Fire Investigators (IAAI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) and the Nation Fire Protection Association for over 25 years. He has instructed various seminars over the past 25 years and has testified and deposed as an expert in the field numerous times.
He has investigated fire from Washington State to Florida and most everywhere in-between. Today, Casalinova Investigation, Inc. has grown into a nationwide company because of our reputation of hiring only the best investigators.
Mark’s strong reputation for finding the TRUE CAUSE of every fire and producing millions of dollars in subrogation recovery and Arson denials is why Casalinova Investigations, Inc. remains an industry leader.
Mark has been married to his wife Kaedra since 1989 and has four children; BreAnna, Kyra, Mark Jr. and Dominic.
Sarasota, Florida
Aaron D. Hurd
Senior Investigator / National Consultant
IAAI-(CFI), NAFI-(CFEI, CFII)
FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone License
Aaron has been with Casalinova Investigation, Inc. from 2004 –present. Aaron has two degrees from the University of Akron an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Fire Protection Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management.
Mr. Hurd is also is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Fire Investigators, Certified Fire / Explosion Investigator, and Certified Fire Investigator Instructor through the National Association of Fire Investigators. Aaron has been qualified as an expert witness in both Civil and Criminal cases. He has investigated over 1000 criminal and civil fire scene investigations.
Mr. Hurd has investigated fires throughout the country for both the insurance industry and manufacturing companies. He has played a key role in recovering millions of dollars through subrogation.
Mr. Hurd obtained the FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone License. The use of aerial photographs or videos can be an important piece of information.
Most importantly Aaron’s greatest accomplishment is his wife and his two daughters.
Akron, Ohio / National Consultant
Aaron T. Bartel
Senior Investigator / Mechanical / Technical Expert
IAAI-(CFI), M.E.
Aaron has been with Casalinova Investigations Inc since November of 2014. He earned his Bachelor if Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1996. His over 25 years of mechanical engineering experience has been engaged in the scientific investigation of the various aspects of fire origin and cause, the evaluation of electrical and mechanical accidents, product and appliance failure and analysis, and water damage claims.
Mr. Bartel has participated in the analysis and evaluation of more than 800 fires, accidents, product and appliance failures, and water damage claims. This experience includes commercial, industrial, and residential. In addition to the preparation of detailed expert reports and technical photographic documentation, Aaron has also conducted laboratory testing including: X-ray analysis, thermographic analysis, microscopic digital imaging analysis, oven testing, electronic device testing and evaluation, and product identification.
He has also developed effective trial demonstrations using physical evidence, microphotography, and video documentation of work done in the laboratory. Aaron is available for both Fire and water loss investigation analysis nationwide.
He resides in McKees Rocks, PA with his wife.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / West Virginia Region
Dave Whitacre
Senior Investigator
IAAI-(CFI)
Dave Whitacre began his career with Casalinova Investigations Inc. in September of 2019. Dave worked in a professional fire department for over 30 years, the last ten of which were as a sworn law enforcement fire investigator / fire inspector.
Mr. Whitacre is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) in addition to certification as a Fire Investigator through the Commonwealth of Virginia.
His experience in fire investigations ranges from single-family dwellings to large commercial scenes. He has also qualified as an expert witness in federal court related to the cause of fires
Mr. Whitacre is a frequent invited participant at the National Institute for Trial Advocacy program at Georgetown University, Washington D.C. .
North Carolina
Travis Edwards
Senior Investigator
IAAI-(CFI), NAFI-(CFEI)
Travis Edwards joined Casalinova Investigations Inc. in 2020 and is a career firefighter and paramedic on
the Muscatine Fire Department since 1999. His duties include fire suppression, EMS, fire investigations,
fire inspections and HazMat. In 2007 Travis attended the Iowa Fire Services Training Bureaus 2-week
Basic Arson Investigation. Since than he has investigated over 200 fires for the fire department and has
became one of the departments main fire investigators working many of their complex structure fires
and trained his own fire investigation K9 Waylon.
Travis has expanded his knowledge in fire investigation by attending National Fire Academy’s Evidence
Collection in 2019, ATF’s Advanced Origin Cause and Courtroom Testimony in 2019 as well as attending
classes, training, and seminars since 2007. Travis is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International
Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), an Evidence Collection Technician through the International
Association of Arson Investigators, and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National
Association of Fire Investigators.
Travis’ other certifications include Firefighter 1 and 2, HazMat Technician, Confined Space Rescue
Technician 1 and 2, certified Driver/Pump Operator, certified Aerial Operator, Fire Officer 1, Fire
Instructor 1, and Fire Inspector 1.
Travis married his wife Cindy on July 16, 2016 and has 3 stepdaughters. He enjoys his yearly cruises with
his wife and family and scuba diving. Travis resides in Muscatine, Iowa.
Muscatine, Iowa
Thomas Beers
Senior Investigator
IAAI-(CFI, ECT), NAFI-(CFEI)
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Jordan Haynes
Senior Investigator
IAAI-(CFI), NAFI-(CFEI)
Mr. Haynes brings a wealth of experience in fire investigation, beginning his career as a firefighter in 2012 and completing Fire Investigator training at the Alabama Fire College in 2016.
He subsequently worked with the Anniston Fire Marshal’s office, assisting and training in fire investigations, before joining the Oxford Fire Department in 2018 as “C” shift’s officer over investigations, where he conducted fire investigations. He is a Nationally Registered EMT Paramedic and holds numerous certifications from the Alabama Fire College, including Hazardous Materials Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, Fire Instructor I&II, Live Fire Instructor, Confined Space Technician, and Fire Inspector I&II. Mr. Haynes is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) through NAFI and a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) through IAAI.
He resides in Oxford, Alabama, with his wife, Mary, and their two children.
Alabama / Georgia
Al Hussey
Senior Investigator
NAFI-(CFEI CFII CVFI), IAAI-(ECT)
BCO, Fire Inspector
Al Hussey joined Casalinova Investigations, Inc. in April, 2017. Al has worked professionally as a career fire inspector for over 25 years, and currently serves as a sworn and elected Fire Marshal & Fire Code Official for the Borough of Wilmerding.
He has over 17 years of professional fire fighting, training and education experience.
A graduate of the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy, Al earned his ACT 120 Certification, and while attending Allegheny County Community College, he earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science & Administration.
Al has accumulated over 34,000 hours of continuing education and training in fire science and fire dynamics. He is extremely meticulous and detail oriented in every aspect of his professional career, and is determined in finding the true origin and cause of a fire event.
Al has been happily married to his wife Heather for over 13 years.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Erie Region
John A. Reid
Senior Investigator
IAAI-(CFI), NFBSPQ-(CFI), NAFI-(CFEI)
John A. Reid began his career as a Regional Occupational Program-Fire Control Technician in 1983. After graduating from high school in 1984, he was hired by Roseville City (CA) Fire Department as a Reserve Firefighter. He also worked as a Firefighter/EMT for the California Department of Forestry, and obtained his California State Firefighter 1 Certification. In 1994 he moved to the State of Ohio. John has over 32 years of Fire Service and EMS experience.
John has attended fire investigation courses from around the United States in the field of Origin and Cause Investigations, including courses from the National Fire Academy as well as local seminars and college courses. In 2009, John attended a fire investigator internship through Fire Explosion Consultants in Dayton Ohio. In April 2010, John became a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). While interning, John attended an International Association of Fire Investigators (IAAI) and New Hampshire Chapter IAAI Expert Witness Testimony Course, held in Manchester, New Hampshire in November 2011.
In March 2012, he became a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and became a Certified Fire Investigator through the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. In addition to the above certifications, John holds certifications in Ohio and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, as a Paramedic.
John maintains several professional memberships in the field of fire and explosion investigations. He is currently active in the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He is also an active member and past President of the Miami Valley Fire Investigators Association, located in Dayton, Ohio.
Cincinnati, Ohio / Kentucky / Indiana
Daniel Dickerson
Senior Investigator
IAAI-(CFI), NAFI-(CFEI, CVFI, CFII)
Daniel Dickerson attended Eastern Kentucky University where he obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation. Daniel has 28 years of firefighting training and experience from both Kentucky and New York. Daniel is retired from the United States Army and has experience with identifying military ordnance and explosives. Daniel is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator and Certified Fire Investigation Instructor through the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Daniel resides in Kentucky with his wife, Nikki, and three cats.
Paducah, Kentucky
Erica L. Sewell
Fire Investigator
IAAI-(FIT(v)), NAFI-(CFEI)
Mrs. Sewell Joined Casalinovia Investigations Inc. in February of 2026. Erica brings with her twenty-three years of knowledge and expertise in the Fire Investigation field. She began her career in the fire service industry in 2003 and attended Bowling Green State University’s Fire Investigator program in 2009. Since 2009 she has continued her education and has over 10,300 hours of continuing education in the industry.
Erica served eighteen years with Scioto Township Fire Department where she was a career Firefighter, Paramedic, State of Ohio Fire Inspector, and conducted Investigations for twelve years. She served in the position of Captain for the last five years prior to pursuing a full-time career in the Fire Investigation industry. She continues to serve as a part-time Firefighter for Tri-County Fire Department in her spare time.
Erica earned credentialing through the National Association of Fire Investigators as a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) in 2011, The International Association of Fire Investigators as a Fire investigation Technician with their programs Vehicle Credential (IAAI-FIT(v). She has investigated fires across the country for a combined total of 800 civil and criminal fire scenes.
Erica resides in Columbus, Ohio with her Wife and three children.
Columbus, Ohio
Angela Lanning
Office Administrator
Angela has been with Casalinova Investigations, Inc since April of 2017. She has an Administrative Office certification from the Wayne County Schools Career Center. She is certified in bank reconciliation, filing, keyboarding, proofreading, applied mathematics, and business writing. She is proficient with Microsoft and Google programs. Angela resides in the North Canton, Ohio area with her fiancé and two children, Brian and Brody.
Norton, Ohio