Board Members

Sergeant Rob Peters began his law enforcement career in 2004 with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. Before becoming a Sergeant, he was assigned as a detective with the Homicide Bureau. As a homicide detective, he investigated homicides, suspicious deaths, officer-involved shootings, kidnappings, and high-profile cases. Additionally, Sergeant Peters has held assignments in Patrol Services, the Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) Unit, and the Sheriff’s Jail and Court Security Divisions. 

Sergeant Peters is currently assigned to the Sheriff’s Crimes Against Persons Bureau and the Missing Persons Bureau. There he supervises a team of detectives who investigate felony assaults, domestic violence, and missing persons cases within the County of Sacramento. 

Sergeant Peters has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from California State University of Sacramento. He has also obtained his intermediate and advanced Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certificates with the State of California. He has attended numerous law enforcement investigative courses, including the Institute of Criminal Investigation (ICI) for Homicide, Officer-Involved Shootings, Narcotics, and Arson/Explosives. He has also attended bloodshed interpretation and several interview and interrogation courses. 

Sergeant Peters is a member of the California Homicide Investigators Association and the International Homicide Investigators Association. He is also a member of the Disabled American Veterans and Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

VICE PRESIDENT

TRAINING DIRECTOR

Detective First Lieutenant Dave Eddy recently retired from the Michigan State Police (MSP), where he last served as Fusion Center Director and Commander of MSP’s Intelligence Section.  Prior to his assignment with the fusion center, Eddy served at the Niles Post, Training Academy, Intelligence Unit, Violent Crimes Unit, Major Case Unit, Investigative Analysis Unit, and the Governor's Security Detail.  He spent well over half of his 29-year Michigan State Police career specializing in the analysis and investigation of homicides and sexually motivated crimes.  Prior to enlisting with MSP, Eddy served in the United States Air Force and as a police officer in the state of Texas.  

Lieutenant Eddy has served on the FBI Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) National Advisory Board, the State Bar of Michigan Eyewitness Identification Task Force, and as an executive board member for both the National Guard Association of Michigan and the MSP Command Officers Association.  In 2018, he founded beyondstrength.org – a life, leadership, and fitness blog.  He has over 34 years of law enforcement experience, over 32 years of total military service, is the former Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Michigan Air National Guard, and he is an Iraq Campaign veteran.

Eddy has an associate in applied science degree from Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University, and a Graduate Certificate in Leadership from Central Michigan University.​ He has served on the IHIA board of directors since 2020.  

PAST PRESIDENT

Lieutenant Paul Belli retired from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office in 2021, where he was employed since 1998. His last assignment was commanding the Homicide Unit. In his tenure with the department, Lieutenant Belli has served assignments as a patrol officer, a field training officer, motor officer, firearms instructor, force options instructor, and EVOC instructor. Upon selection to detectives in 2008 Lieutenant Belli was assigned to the Sexual Assault and Elder Abuse Bureau before being selected to join the Homicide Bureau. Lieutenant Belli spent 7 years as a homicide detective and 3 years as the homicide bureau supervisor, prior to being promoted to Lieutenant. He spent a short time commanding a detention bureau prior to being transferred back to the Homicide Unit as a commander.

Lieutenant Belli holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Criminal Justice from CSU Sacramento, In addition to Robert Presely Institute of Criminal Investigations certificates in Homicide and Narcotics investigations. Lieutenant Belli is a California POST ICI instructor for the Officer Involved Shooting investigations course, a past committee member for the POST ICI Detective training symposium, and the President for the International Homicide Investigators Association.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lieutenant Steve Lewis recently retired after a 28-year stint with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, in Tampa, Florida. He holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Criminology from Saint Leo University. He graduated with honors from the 140th Administrative Officers Course at the Southern Police Institute, University of Louisville. He has worked in many different areas with the Sheriff's Office, including Patrol, School Resource, Street Crimes, Administration, and various Detective Bureaus, including the Homicide unit for several years. He has been a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association since 2004. He has held the position of Chief Financial Officer since 2013. In 2021, he was appointed as the Executive Director for the IHIA. He manages the daily operations of the IHIA, and works closely with the President, the Board of Directors, the Training Coordinator, and the Event Planning Team for planning, organizing, and providing assistance at training events. In addition, he works collectively with the Board and Law Enforcement partners in seeking solutions for the non-profit in meeting both short and long-term goals.

TREASURER

Captain Mark Blair has been employed with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, in Tampa, Florida since 2010. Lieutenant Blair has held positions as a Patrol Deputy, Field Training Deputy, General Offense Detective, Patrol Corporal, Traffic Corporal, Operations Corporal for the Department of Patrol Services, Sergeant in the Training Division and currently serves as the Captain for the Homeland Security Division.

Captain Blair holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications and a minor in Government and World Affairs from the University Of Tampa. He has been actively involved in his church for many years. Through his involvement, Captain Blair learned how operate and manage audio and video equipment. In 2016, he began volunteering at the IHIA Annual Training Symposium operating the audio and video equipment and was nominated to the Board of Directors in February 2020.​

Captain Blair enjoys spending his free time with his wife and children. In his spare time, he enjoys running and regularly participates in sports leagues.

SECRETARY

Nathan Graham began his career with the FBI in April 2006 as a Crime Analyst with the Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG), Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP), Quantico, Virginia. Crime Analyst Graham is currently assigned as the ViCAP Web Program Manager, which includes oversight of ViCAP’s Joint Applications Development (JAD) Team, the team responsible for all technical and user interface matters pertaining to the ViCAP Web system. Prior to his current assignment, Crime Analyst Graham served as the crime analyst for the states of Nevada, Oregon, and Washington; as well as Army CID, Air Force OSI, and all requests from foreign law enforcement agencies. Crime Analyst Graham has also served as the lead analyst for the FBI’s Highway Serial Killings (HSK) Initiative. Prior to the FBI, Crime Analyst Graham spent almost four years as a police officer and crime analyst with the Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh, North Carolina. Crime Analyst Graham currently serves as the Secretary for the International Homicide Investigators Association.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS LIAISON

Jeff McClain serves as the Assistant Section Chief for the Critical Incident Response Group’s (CIRG) Investigations and Operations Support Section (IOSS) providing support to all five Behavioral Analysis Units, the Securities and Facilities Unit, and the Technical and Support Services Unit. Prior to this assignment, Mr. McClain served as the Unit Chief of the Behavioral Analysis Unit-4, Crimes Against Adult Victims and Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP). Mr. McClain entered on duty with the FBI in 2002 and was first assigned to the Richmond Division’s Fredericksburg Resident Agency where he worked a variety of violations with emphasis on violent crime, gang, and drug matters.

In 2010, Mr. McClain was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent and transferred to the Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations Unit, where he program managed WMD operations and investigations for the northeastern United States and the WMD ALAT program. In 2011, Mr. McClain returned to the Richmond Division as the Supervisory Special Agent and Program Coordinator overseeing the Violent Gangs, Violent Incident Crime, TOC-West, and TOC-East programs. Mr. McClain also served as the SWAT, OCDETF, and Undercover Coordinator.

In 2015, Mr. McClain was promoted to Unit Chief and transferred to the CIRG, BAU-4 providing operational and analytical support to federal, state, local, and international law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation of unusual or repetitive violent crimes involving adult victims until his promotion to Assistant Section Chief in 2018.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS LIAISON

Kevin Hagan began his career with the FBI in 2020 as a Major Case Specialist in the Behavioral Analysis Unit 4 (BAU-4) which focuses on violent crimes against adults. Prior to joining the FBI, Kevin already had twenty-five years of law enforcement experience with the Baltimore City Police Department, the Howard County Police Department, and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General. During his twenty-one years with Baltimore City, Kevin was a member of the Homicide Section as a detective, sergeant, and lieutenant where he investigated and managed violent crimes, death investigations, and officer-involved shootings. After retiring from Baltimore City, Kevin joined the Howard County Police Department as a Cold Case Investigator where he investigated unsolved homicides and suspicious missing person cases. At the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, Kevin investigated allegations of child sexual abuse by clergy, seminarians, deacons, and employees of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Washington, DC and the Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware.

Prior to his career in law enforcement, Kevin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University. Kevin is also certified in Behavioral Analysis through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Accreditation (FLETA) program.

Regional Directors

Director At-Large

Sergeant Neal Clanton has been employed by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office since 2007. He began his career working in Corrections for the Sheriff’s Office, having been assigned to both County jails and spent time as a Gang Intelligence Officer at the Sacramento Main Jail. He rotated out to Patrol Services where he was a Field Training Officer (FTO) and assigned to the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) team before moving on to Investigations. Prior to his current assignment, Sergeant Clanton worked as a People Crimes Detective, investigating domestic violence and felony assault cases.​

Sergeant Clanton is currently assigned to the Sacramento Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, where he assists in investigations involving homicides, kidnappings, officer-involved shootings, and suspicious deaths.​

Sergeant Clanton received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from American Public University.​

Sergeant Clanton spends his free time with his wife and three young children, coaching his two young daughters’ softball and soccer teams.

SOUTHERN REGION

For over two decades, Corporal Mike Blair has dedicated his career to serving Hillsborough County as a Deputy Sheriff. His journey began in the county jail, progressing swiftly to distinguished roles in law enforcement. Throughout his tenure, he has served in capacities including Patrol Deputy, Field Training Deputy, Vice Squad Deputy, and as a detective specializing in various offenses. A heartfelt chapter of his career was dedicated to solving cases as a Homicide Detective. Today, with those experiences in tow, he guides others as a supervisor in the Homicide Section.

Beyond the badge, Mike's true nature shines through in his commitment to his colleagues. As a part of the Peer Support Team and as the head of the Lynn Sowers Memorial Foundation, he quietly offers a helping hand, ensuring that members of the Sheriff's Office find support when they most need it. ​

Since 2012, Corporal Blair has been an active contributor to the IHIA, earning a board position in 2014.

EASTERN REGION

Detective Sergeant Perreault is a eighteen (18) year veteran of the New Hampshire State Police. He currently oversees the Sexual Offender Unit for the State of New Hampshire. He formerly worked as a Patrol Officer from (1990- 1992) In Rollinsford New Hampshire. During his time with the New Hampshire State Police he has served in several capacities to include: criminal investigations, assigned as Cadre to the New Hampshire Police Academy for the 162nd session, Field Training Officer, DARE Officer and Mentor, Northern New England DARE Training Team as facilitator in charge of training for New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine, Major Crime Unit assigned to active homicide cases. He found his passion spending 2 ½ years assigned within the Major Crime Unit to the Attorney Generals Cold Case Unit as a lead in several Cold Case Homicide investigations.​

While assigned to Major Crimes, he was assigned to oversee multiple interns for guidance. He has also been assigned to assist other agencies coming to New Hampshire to interview suspects in homicides from other jurisdictions. He is routinely assigned Presidential details and has had to opportunity to serve President Trump, Vice President Joseph Biden and Michele Obama during campaign visits to New Hampshire.​

Detective Sergeant Perreault is a native of New Hampshire having grown up on the seacoast and graduating from Dover High School in 1986. He has a wife and daughter and currently resides in the seacoast area. He enjoys spending time off with his family and enjoys performing magic shows, scuba diving, running, kayaking and anything outside. He is a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon-Do and previously co-owned a marital arts school in New Hampshire.

WESTERN REGION

NORTHERN REGION

Captain Jeremy Christensen began his law enforcement career with the Omaha Police Department in 2000 and is currently serving as the Criminal Investigations Section Captain where he oversees the Homicide, Assault, Robbery, Property Crimes, and Operations Units, and is the Commander of the Officer Involved Investigations Team.  Captain Christensen’s investigative background includes assignments to the Homicide Unit as a Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, as well as assignments to the Gang Unit, Narcotics Unit, and Assault Unit, as well as the Uniform Patrol Bureau.

Captain Christensen has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology from the University of Northern Iowa, and is a certified law enforcement instructor in the State of Nebraska holding numerous instructor certifications in investigations, firearms and tactics, use of force, arrest and control tactics, courtroom preparation and testimony, clandestine laboratory investigations, and chemical munitions.  Captain Christensen serves as an adjunct instructor for the Omaha Police Department Training Academy and the University of Nebraska Omaha, and has conducted presentations for professional organizations and colleges throughout the State of Nebraska.  Captain Christensen also serves as a member of the Nebraska State Domestic Abuse Death Review Team.

Captain Christensen is a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, American Society of Evidence Based Policing, Nebraska Chapter International Association for Identification, and the Fraternal Order of Police.  Captain Christensen volunteers for the National Ski Patrol where he is a certified Outdoor Emergency Care and Mountain Travel and Rescue Instructor.  

INTERNATIONAL REGION

David Gaylor has recently been invited to join the Board as its International Director in March 2021 having previously been a member of the IHIA Advisory Board since the symposium in Washington (2011). He has been a active member of the IHIA since 2001.

He began his law enforcement career in 1975 when he joined Sussex Police in the UK where he served for 30 years predominantly as a Detective Officer reaching the rank of Detective Chief Superintendent.​

David has worked on numerous homicide enquiries as a detective and as a supervisor and was also one of the Force Senior Investigating Officers leading the Homicide Investigation teams. He was responsible in Sussex for setting up the Major Crime Branch tasked with investigating serious and series crimes including homicide and also introduced the Major Crime Review system. In 2001 he completed a project reporting to the Home Office on the Investigation of Cold Cases. David has a Masters degree in Criminal Justice from Sussex and Portsmouth Universities.​

On his retirement as a warranted officer he remained working for Sussex Police undertaking projects on a range of criminal justice initiatives including improving the systems and protocols when dealing with victims and witnesses and set up the county’s first dedicated Sexual Assault Referral Centre. He also continued to undertake reviews of both current and cold case homicide investigations until he retired finally having completed 36 years service. He currently remains a volunteer with Sussex Police.

David has attended every IHIA symposium since 2003 and was delighted to be asked to join the Board in the capacity of International Director. He has assisted many colleagues around the world in respect of ongoing investigations and will continue to do so on behalf of the IHIA. David’s family have always had a strong history with law enforcement with his grandfather and father previously having served as police officers. His eldest daughter is currently a Financial Investigator for Sussex Police.​

A key objective of the association is to take its homicide investigative training to other parts of the world outside of its base in the USA. The core elements of the investigation of homicide offenses are universal and delivering high quality training is fundamental to that process. He looks forward to working with other Board members and law enforcement colleagues around the world to develop this initiative.

LEGAL COUNSEL

Mr. Paul Marino of Largo, Florida is a member of both the Florida and Maryland Bars. Mr. Marino has a long history of providing legal advice to several of the nation's leading criminal justice oriented associations. Mr. Marino left his native Baltimore where he served as a member of the Mayor's staff, handling public safety and emergency management issues for the City of Baltimore to accept an appointment as Chief Legal Counsel to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office in Florida. During his work with the Sheriff's Office, in addition to his primary responsibility to manage claims and reduce potential liability against the Sheriff and his deputies, he was initially responsible for handling public information and media matters for the Sheriff, and worked on several major law enforcement “sting” projects.​

He retired after 17 years of government service to further his career in private practice and as a civil liability defense attorney for police departments throughout the state of Florida. Today, Mr. Marino's law practice is centered on his work as a corporate counsel for several law enforcement associations. He provides legal counsel and instructs various courses related to airborne law enforcement operations and practices.