2025 Conference Speakers
Rachell Pyle
Presentation:
Stephen W. Shaw: Avoiding Criminal Issues For Private Investigators.
Steve Shaw joined Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt in 2020. He practices in the areas of Family
Law, White Collar Crime, Campaign Advice and General Litigation. He has represented public
officials and witnesses and conducted internal investigations. This gives him a unique
understanding of involvement in both Federal and State investigations.
Steve is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the American Bar Association, the Birmingham Bar
Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is admitted to
practice law before the United States District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of
Alabama and the State Courts of Alabama.
He received his BS in Business from the University of Alabama and his Law Degree from the
University of Alabama. Following graduation, he served one year as the law clerk for United
States District Judge E.B. Haltom, Jr. in the United States District Court for the Northern District
of Alabama. From 1981 to 2020, Steve practiced law with Redden, Mills, Clark & Shaw in
Birmingham and in 2020 he and his law partner, Bill Clark, joined Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff &
Brandt, LLC.
Steve has been actively involved in numerous civic, charitable and religious organizations
including: The University of Alabama President’s Cabinet, Rotary Club of Birmingham,
Leadership Birmingham (2010), Nine years on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education
(ACHE) (Chair), The University of Alabama A Club Charitable and Educational Foundation, the
Mountain Brook Library Board (President), the Mountain Brook Library Foundation (Chairman)
and the University of Alabama National Alumni Association (District Vice President) and
Independent Presbyterian Church.
In 2015 Steve received the Omicron Delta Kappa, Frances Summersell Award from the
University of Alabama. He has been recognized since 2009 for his practice of White Collar
Crime, DUI Defense, and Family Law by Alabama and Mid-South Super Lawyers. =He has
made numerous presentations and training for State and local elected officials and public
employees under the Alabama Ethics Law and Campaign and Election Laws.
Matt Aubin:
Presentation: AI Essentials for the Modern Private
Investigator: Build, Use, and Adapt AI Tools for Real Investigations
CDFE, FBCI, is the Managing Partner of E3 Legacy Intel and has over a decade of high- tech investigative experience using legal, technical and investigative strategies for complex investigations and proprietary cyber intelligence gathering. Matt is a Certified Digital Forensics Examiner (CDFE), Florida Board Certified Investigator (FBCI), Certified TSCM Countermeasures Technician and has worked on Cyber Cases jointly with the FBI and numerous federal and domestic law enforcement agencies around the United States as a Cyber Investigation specialist. Matt has provided cyber intelligence in high profile political elections and has been responsible for solving cases involving International Extortion Rings, Major Financial Crimes, Internet Defamation, Revenge porn and various forms of Online Fraud. Matt has been declared as an expert witness in Cyber Forensics is featured as a Keynote speaker around the country. Matt has been on the FALI Board of Directors since 2016 and currently serves as the Tampa Area Director.
Kenneth Free: Presentation: Interview and interrogation Techniques
Kenneth Free is a seasoned federal criminal investigations executive with over 25 years of distinguished experience leading complex, high-stakes investigative operations across the U.S. Government and Military. Currently serving as the CEO of Alabama Premier Investigations LLC, Mr. Free brings unmatched expertise in federal investigations, interviews, case management, forensic analysis, and interagency coordination.
Before his retirement from the U.S. Government, Mr. Free’s assignments included serving as a Director at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Special Agent in Charge at the U.S. Department of Commerce. In these distinct assignments, he led investigations, security operations, regulatory compliance, and program oversight at the highest levels of government. He directed protective and investigative operations globally and supervised multi-disciplinary teams tackling advanced cases.
Mr. Free’s investigative roots began in the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID), where he advanced from field agent to Supervisory Special Agent. He led felony-level investigations—ranging from violent crimes and white-collar fraud to child abuse and terrorism crimes—at national and international levels. As Team Chief and Special Agent in Charge, he developed investigative policies, coordinated multi-agency operations, and managed evidence handling and trial preparation for military and federal courts.
Mr. Free was decorated for his criminal investigations in CID, which included high value detainee interrogations in Iraq as part of the Global War on Terror. The testimonial and physical investigative evidence that he collected was used to prosecute the leaders of Iraq.
His career is distinguished by a deep commitment to justice, operational excellence, and interagency collaboration.
Certifications & Education
- Alabama Private Investigation Board (APIB) Certified Trainer
- APIB Private Investigator #967
- B.A. in Criminal Justice, Columbia College
CID Special Agent (Basic & Advanced Agent and Warrant Officer Courses)
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Instructor Certification (FLETC Driver)
Law Enforcement Instructor & Advanced Crime Scene Training
Specialized training in Hostage Negotiations, Advanced Interviews and Interrogations, Child Abuse Investigations, Blood Stain Pattern Analysis, and Homicide Investigations
Kelly Riddle: Presentation:Ethics for private Investigators.
Kelmar Global Investigations
Professional Experience Narrative: Mr. Riddle is the President of Kelmar Global Investigations and has more than 35 years of investigative experience. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Alabama. He was chosen as the “PI of the Year” by the National Association of Investigative Specialists and the PI Magazine named Mr. Riddle as the “#1 PI in the United States”. He has been designated an expert in surveillance, insurance investigations, nursing home abuse and computer investigations. He was chosen as “One of the Top 25 PI’s of the 20th Century.” Kelly obtained his Texas Certified Investigatordesignation (less than 50 in TX.) Mr. Riddle is also the past President (2010-2012) for TALI - the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators (TALI); Board of Directors (2007-2010) for TALI as well as being on the Board of Directors for the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. Kelly is on the Advisory Board for FAPI - the Florida Association of Private Investigators and is on the Public Relations committee for the Council of International Investigators and the Membership Chair for the San Antonio Chapter of ASIS. He is a Founding Board Member and Board Advisor for the non-profit organization “Can You Identify Me.” Kelly was the recipient of the 2013 Hudgins-Sallee award, the highest recognition presented by the Texas Association of Licensed Investigators.
Mr. Riddle is the author of 10 books and has published more than 40 articles. He has been the guest speaker at more than 400 events and has been on national TV, radio and newspapers. Kelly was also presented the NALI Editor-Publisher Award in 2004.
Prior law enforcement experience includes being a member of the SWAT team, a Training Officer, Emergency Medical Technician, Evidence Technician, Arson Investigator, Juvenile Specialist and Traffic Investigator.
Mr. Riddle is the Founder and President of the PI Institute of Education, as well as the Association of Christian Investigators with more than 1000 members in the U.S. and 19 countries. Kelly is the Founder of the Coalition of Association Leaders comprised of past and present board members from state, national and international associations.
Mr. Riddle is a member of TALI,NAIS,INTELLENET,NALI,FAPI,CALI,ASIS, NCISS,USAPI, ACI,PICA,WIN,CII,NLLI,CTIP, CLEAR,IOPIA,TIDA,ASSIST,ISPLA
Pat McCray: Presentation: Human Trafficking: The New Face of Slavery.
Patricia McCay:
Chair, AL Human Trafficking Task Force and Chair, North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force
Since 2009, Pat McCay has been a human trafficking advocate, spokesperson, and founder/Chair of the North Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force. She is also co-founder and Chair of the Alabama Human Trafficking Task Force which was established in 2014 by former Governor Bentley. In 2011, she was the recipient of the FBI Director’s national “Community Leadership Award” for her work to raise awareness about human trafficking. She was named “Alumni of Achievement” by the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s Alumni Association in 2013. She was also the 2017 recipient of the Charles L. Ray, Jr. Social Justice Award given by the Huntsville Interfaith Mission Service. In addition, she is a member of Soroptimist International of Huntsville having served as local President, District Director, Governor of Soroptimist Southern Region, and Soroptimist International of the Americas Board of Directors. She has also been a member of the FBI Citizens Academy since 2012.
Tim O’Rourke: Presentation: TBA
Tim O’Rourke is lead tech for the Technical Services Division team within The Grafton Group, based in Tampa, Florida. Tim has more than 30 years' experience in conducting and directing the protective, investigative and technical security needs of business, government and private individuals. His practice areas include major fraud investigations, internet crimes, technical surveillance countermeasures TSCM, and product counterfeiting. Prior to founding The Grafton Group, Tim served both domestic and multi-national corporations with their protective and intelligence needs for 20 years. From 2005-2013 he was appointed by the Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles Bronson to serve on PIRSAC which oversees investigators and other 493 professions. Tim has served FALI in many capacities including five years as president and is currently serving as FALI President.
Mike Yergey: Presentation: PROTECTING YOUR ASSets.
What you Really Need to Know! Protecting your Business.
Michael T. Yergey started with Yergey Insurance Agency in 1991, and after graduating from Ferrum College as a triple major in business. He started in sales for small businesses in the small family-owned agency and subsequently has worked in personal and commercial services, accounting and sales. He became a partner in 2004 and handled personal lines and special programs. In 2017, Mike formed Yergey Insurance Services that is specializing specifically in special programs that include private investigators and security guard industry.
Mike has been working with State Organization and Departments of Public Safety Groups with their guidelines and bylaws. Yergey Insurance has been endorsed by many different National and State Associations for their insurance products and services that they provide.
Since graduating from college, Mike has been involved with a few different Non-Profit organization like Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Northern Virginia (FCA) and Nokesville Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department as a running member. Mike has also been a member of Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia since 1995 and has been a committee chair for the Membership Committee of the IIAV. Mike won the Young Agent award from the IIAV for his outstanding contribution to the association during his time as committee chair. He is now serving as director for the IIAV.
Mike currently resides in King George, VA with his wife Mary and their three children.
Rick Fernambucq: Presentation:Trial Testimony
Rick Fernambucq, a Birmingham native and founding partner of Boyd, Fernambucq, & Dunn, P.C., has been practicing matrimonial and family law in Alabama since 1981.
He co-authored Family Law in Alabama: Practice and Procedure, with the first edition being printed in 1990. The book is updated annually and is released in December of each year by the publisher LexisNexis.
Rick was a founding member of the Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar and has served as Chairman of both that section and the state chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He also serves as Treasurer for the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Rick has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America in his field of practice and received the Lawyer of the Year Award for 2010. He is also regularly nominated for SuperLawyers, which is through a state-wide evaluation by his peers resulting in on 5% of Alabama attorneys being chosen each year.
Rick graduated from the University of Alabama in 1977 and from Birmingham School of Law in 1981. He served on the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association from 1993-1996. He practices primarily in Jefferson and Shelby County in all areas of family law.
Charles Dunn: Presentation:Trial Testimony
Like his law partners, Mr. Dunn’s practice concentrates in the area of divorce, matrimonial law, family law and child custody. He grew up in North Carolina and earned his B.S. degree from Guilford College in 1993. He attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and obtained his Juris Doctorate degree in 1998. In 2006, Mr. Dunn became a shareholder at Boyd, Fernambucq & Dunn, P.C., located in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mr. Dunn is a frequent lecturer on family law issues and often speaks to other lawyers at continuing education seminars throughout the State. He has been published in the Birmingham Bar Bulletin and in The Alabama Lawyer on a vast array of subjects pertaining to his field of practice. Mr. Dunn is a proud member of the Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, and is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association where he enjoys serving on the Bar’s Entertainment Committee.
Mr. Dunn litigates divorce and post-divorce matters all across the state of Alabama. In addition, he maintains a state-wide appellate practice and enjoys working with and assisting other lawyers on their appellate matters before the Court of Civil Appeals and the Supreme Court of Alabama.
Presentation:
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