Education
- Certified Fraud Examiner, 2022
- Course Certificate: COVID19 Contact Tracing, 2020, Johns Hopkins University
- Course Certificate: Criminology, Understanding the Origins of Crime, 2018, Griffith University
- Master of Criminal Justice, May 2008, Boston University
- Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Elementary Education, May 1996, American University, Washington, DC. Dean’s List. Includes study abroad:
- The American University of Rome, Rome Italy. Italian Studies
- The American University of Paris. American Expatriate Literature
Registrations/Permits/Memberships
Board of Directors, Association of Certified Background Investigators – ACBI 2022-present
Member, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners – ACFE 2019-present
Virginia Private Investigator Registration, Department of Criminal Justice Services #99-649784
Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit (gun safety), March 2006-present
Virginia Real Estate Salesperson License, 2015-2017
Security Clearances
Maintain SSBI/SCI (TS) favorable adjudication since 2004 with no break in service. Agency/facility access and clearances granted as needed (e.g. USAID, DOD/RB, DOS, DOE/Q, CBP, ICE, Yankee White, DHSHQ, CIS, etc.) to present.
Work Experience
Background Investigator
Lippon Co., Independent Contractor, Nationwide
January 2013-Present
Conduct background investigations for all levels of national security clearances, suitability cases, and positions of public trust including those which involve substantial difficulty in resolving conflicts in facts or evidence. Seek and follow leads, research and review records, and interview persons from a variety of backgrounds, including eliciting information from hesitant sources. Prepare detailed, clear and concise investigative reports in a timely manner. Work independently and set priorities to meet and exceed customer expectations. Duty station: Nationwide (extensive travel). As self-employed business owner, partner with multiple vendors for federal agencies including DOD/RB, OPM, ICE, DHS, CBP as independent contractor/subcontractor, and as direct contactor to USAID and State.
Background Investigator
CSC (now GDIT), Nationwide
February 2015-August 2015
Conduct background investigations for ICE, CBP and DHS. Seek and follow leads, research records, and interview persons from a variety of backgrounds, including eliciting information from hesitant sources. Prepare detailed, clear and concise investigative reports in a timely manner. Work independently and set priorities to meet and exceed customer expectations.
Background Investigator, Case Analyst, Field Supervisor
CACI, Nationwide
June 2011-October 2014
Multiple positions for U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) contract. As Investigator, conduct background investigations for all levels of national security clearances, suitability cases, and positions of public trust. Duty station: Nationwide (travel). As Case Analyst, review reports of investigation for all levels
of national security clearances, suitability cases, and positions of public trust including those which involve substantial difficulty in resolving conflicts in facts or evidence. Issue guidance to investigators on correct reporting format, case coverage, and issue resolution. Ensure complete coverage for case requirements per case type. Work independently and remotely. As Field Supervisor, supervise all investigators for the Commonwealth of Virginia, to include employees and contractors. Assign cases, manage workloads, track work flow trends, and provide OPM handbook support to investigators.
Senior Background Investigator
USIS, Nationwide
October 2004-May 2011
Conduct background investigations for multiple federal government contracts, including U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Small Business Administration (SBA).
- Acting Team Leader: supervise and facilitate field investigators.
- Acting Work Load Leader: receive, organize, and assign case loads to field staff for entire district to maximize efficiency.
- New Investigator Trainer: train new investigators with no experience.
- Quality Mentor: work closely with investigators of all levels to improve performance.
- Quality Assurance: perform check rides on established investigators to maintain quality.
- Integrity Resolution: conduct internal surveillance.
- Testify in federal court as needed.
- Special Interview Team Coordinator: coordinated successful completion of over 200 SPINs at a secure facility within 3 weeks, exceeding customer expectations.
- Local Subject Matter Expert: computers and technology.
- Travel to other districts in various states on detail assignments (temporary duty).
Office Manager, Legal Assistant, Investigator
Montgomery & Associates, PC, Blacksburg, VA
April 2001-December 2004, To present as needed/seasonally
Interviewed and obtained information from clients, performed legal research, drafted legal documents and correspondence, maintained bookkeeping, notary public, performed courthouse records searches. Focus on preparation of probate accounts, including preparation of first and final accounting for estates for submission to Commissioner of Accounts. Supervised office staff. Conduct annual file audit, clerical duties, and location investigations as temporary worker as needed from 2004 to present.
General Manager
Core Communications, Inc., Blacksburg, VA; Aug. 2003-Nov. 2003
Duties: Project management of developers and other employees (8), reviewed and updated business policies and procedures, marketing, office bookkeeping (payroll, bills, taxes, budget, etc.), during periods of high demand assisted employees with their duties, and overall maximized office efficiency.
Event Technician
Priority Networks, Miami, FL
2000-2000
Provide connectivity, audio and video support for events at Miami Beach Convention Center.
General Manager
Anchy’s Restaurant, Inc., Blacksburg, VA
November 1999- April 2001
Alcohol and Beverage Control (ABC) control and ordering, menu development, production and design, food cost supervision and pricing, inventory, coordination of local artist displays, payroll, and staff development/supervision.
Teacher, Substitute Teacher, ESL Teacher
Various: Hellenic American Academy; Fairfax County VA Public Schools; Montgomery County VA Public Schools; Il Ciocco Italy; DCPS Summer STARS 1996-1999
Taught at several schools, including overseas, pre-school, grade school (Greek and English bi-lingual immersion), and adults and children, including English as a second language.
Custom Printing Coordinator, Production Assistant
American University Campus Store, Washington, DC; May 1995-Nov 1996
Duties: Hired as Production Assistant in May 1995. Duties included data entry, mastering of documents, clerical duties. When promoted, coordinated complete production of all course reading packet materials including legal copyright clearance and permission. Interacted directly with faculty, staff, students, publishers, authors, subcontractors and vendors with regard to the printing and selling of course packets and announcements. Produced personalized graduation announcements and customized invitations, filled and packaged orders, worked with vendors to ensure quality control. Maintained records for all producing and printing. Ensured proper margins, tracked sales and inventory, calculated merchandise write-off, authorized payments of expenses, hired and supervised part-time assistant, prepared profit and loss statements for the program. Coordinated marketing for the custom printing program, designed mailers, advertisements and evaluations.
Teacher, Substitute Teacher, ESL Teacher
Hellenic American Academy, Montgomery County Public Schools, Il Ciocco;1996-1999
At several schools, including overseas, taught pre-school, grade school (Greek and English bi-lingual immersion), and adults and children English as a second language.
Honors and Awards
Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education
Sarah Presciutti Scholarship for Italian Studies, 1995
Mortar Board Senior Honor Society, American University
Dean’s List Scholar, American University
1994 Intercultural Achievement Award, The American University of Rome
Gamma Kappa Alpha Italian Studies Honor Society
The Golden Key National Honor Society
1993 Sea Explorer Scout of the Year Award, Ship 1319
American Hellenic Educational & Professional Association (AHEPA) Academic Scholarship
Committees and Activities at American University, Washington, DC
Co-Chair, Student Undergraduate Education Committee, Fall 1995-Spring 1996
Chapter President, Kappa Delta Pi Educational Honor Society, Jan.1995 -Jan.1996
President, Italian Club of American University, Fall 1994-Spring 1995
Student Representative to Faculty, School of Education, Fall 1994-Spring 1995
