THE J2 RISK ADVISORS TEAM
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified International Investigators (CII)
Certified Protection Professionals (CPP)
Executive Protection Certifications (ASIS)
Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE)
Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
Certified Financial Investigators (CFI)
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialists (CITRMS)
Certified Drug Recognition Experts (DRE)
Licensed Attorneys
Licensed Private Investigators
Licensed Security Agents
OUR EXPERTS
Former FBI Special Agent
Former Technically Trained Agent (TTA)
Former DEA Special Agent
Former Military Intelligence Officer
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM) Expert
Former Chief Security Officer for $10B Healthcare Concern
Former President of the National Association of Legal Investigators
Former Chief Information Security Officer
MANAGEMENT
Paul Jaeb
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Minneapolis, MN | Scottsdale, AZ
Paul Jaeb is a veteran private investigator, security expert, and advisor. Since 1991 Paul has managed thousands of investigative matters for hundreds of corporate clients, lawyers, investors, and high net worth individuals.
Paul is a Chartered Financial Investigator© and a Certified Confidentiality Officer©.
Highlights: Former president of the National Association of Legal Investigators; Led firm’s investigation of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse; Recipient of Business Journal Fast 50 award; Recipient of the Real Power 50 award; Recipient of the NALI Legacy Award.
2015 – Present J2 Risk Advisors
1991 – 2015 Heartland Investigative Group
1989 – 1991 Equifax
Tom Jaeb
Co-Founder and Managing Investigator
Minneapolis, MN
Tom Jaeb is a recognized expert in Enhanced Due Diligence and complex case management. His peerless network of investigative and security specialists spans the globe. Since 1994, Tom has personally managed over 150,000 assignments.
Tom is a Certified International Investigator© and a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist®.
Highlights: Lead investigator on landmark environmental case; frequent featured speaker; recipient of the Heartland Legacy Award.
2021 – Present J2 Risk Advisors
2018 – 2020 Redpoint Advisors
1995 – 2018 Heartland Investigative Group
Kevin Eckhoff
Director of Security
Minneapolis, MN
Kevin Eckhoff is a highly trained executive protection agent, security auditor, and Certified Firearms Instructor. With decades of experience earned in law enforcement, casino security, corrections, and private practice, Kevin is hyper-qualified to manage a wide range of security issues.
Kevin is a graduate of Executive Security International and a Certified Protection Professional with the American Society for Industrial Security.
During his career he has provided close protection services across the country and overseas for executives of Fortune 500 companies, celebrities, and foreign dignitaries. Further, he has provided corporate security consulting in risk management and specializes in workplace violence issues.
As a trainer, Mr. Eckhoff has an extensive background in a wide variety of areas, including legal liability for security, security force management, and Use of Force. He is a NRA Law Enforcement Tactical Firearms Instructor, a Defensive Tactics Instructor /Trainer for PPCT Management Systems, and a Red Cross Professional Rescuer Instructor. He has provided training services to private security organizations, law enforcement agencies, and military personnel.
2021 – Present J2 Risk Advisors
2000 – Present EPS Tactical Training
1994 – 2005 Minnesota Department of Corrections
OUR DOMESTIC TEAM
Eric Ohlsen
Certified Fraud Examiner©
Washington, DC
Eric Ohlsen provides high-end background investigations, opposition research, and individual privacy risk services to our clients. An experienced operative, Eric has spent 18 years conducting high profile investigations on behalf of presidential campaigns, national political committees, and Fortune 500 companies. He is an accomplished public record, OSINT, and HUMINT researcher.
He is a Certified Fraud Examiner and holds a private investigator license in the District of Columbia.
John Carney, JD
ACE Certified
Cellebrite Certified Logical Operator
Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst
Minneapolis, MN
John Carney provides lawyers and corporate clients a suite of forensic services. Educated at MIT and a graduate of Mitchell Hamline Law School, he is J2’s lead digital forensic examiner. For the past 30 years John has been at the forefront of the digital forensic field, having held positions at Best Buy, Gartner Group Learning, and Wang Laboratories. He has extensive court room experience and is a frequent media contributor.
He is a licensed lawyer in the State of Minnesota and a voting member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Ellis Armistead
Certified Legal Investigator©
Denver, CO
Ellis Armistead is one of the nation’s leading defense investigators. He is a Certified Legal Investigator (one of only 66 worldwide), former Chief Investigator for the 14th Judicial District in Colorado, and a former police sergeant. His notable clients include the parents of Jon Benet Ramsey, Oklahoma City Bomber Timothy McVeigh, and the family of Columbine shooter Eric Harris. He has worked thousands of investigations for attorneys, corporate clients, and high-profile defendants. He has extensive courtroom experience.
Marty Vander Vliet
Technical Surveillance Countermeasure Expert
Certified Protection Professional©
Detroit, MI
During his 26 years with the FBI Marty Vander Vliet gained extensive experience in handling criminal matters, including narcotics, robbery, and illegal transport cases. He underwent rigorous technical training that resulted in his certification as a Technical Surveillance Countermeasure (TSCM) expert. He handle’s all of J2’s TSCM projects, often involving residences, board rooms, aircraft, and watercraft.
Marty holds a B.A. from Calvin College and a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin.
Jeff Flournoy
Travel Security and Logistics Expert
Black Belt, Karate
Orlando, FL
Jeff Flournoy has travelled the world with executives and VIPs since the early 1990s. His extensive experience as a logistics and security expert ensures that our clients are prepared for international travel, particularly in the “next normal.” Additionally, Jeff manages clients in and around major corporate, social, and sporting events, including the Olympics, World Cup Soccer, Formula One Racing, and the Grammy Awards, among others.
Jeff is a black belt on Karate, studying under former Lightweight Kickboxing world champion Mike Bell. Jeff operates his worldwide network from Orlando, FL.
Hear Jeff on our May 2021 J2 Blackbook Podcast discussing travel in the post-COVID environment by clicking here.
Tom Lancaster
Digital Forensic Examiner
Cellebrite Certified
Baltimore, MD
Tom Lancaster began his career as a private investigator after his 2013 retirement from the Prince George’s County, Maryland, Police Department, where he served for over 22 years. Tom handles all J2’s east coast computer/mobile device forensics and general investigative matters. He is certified with Cellebrite.
He holds a master’s degree in Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation from the University of Maryland University College and has received specialized investigative and intelligence training from several government and private organizations. He is currently working on his Doctorate.
OUR INTERNATIONAL TEAM
Emilio Garcia
International Investigator
Miami, FL
Emilio Garcia is an accomplished private investigator and security professional, with a network of professional operatives throughout South America. Emilio spent 26 years with the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, where he led numerous roles, including Special Agent in the NY office and Narcotic Attaché in Argentina. Emilio handles all of J2’s needs in South Florida and South America.
He is a graduate of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is fluent in Spanish.
Sheila Ponnosamy
International Investigator
Certified International Investigator
Singapore
Sheila Ponnosamy brings over two decades of experience in the APAC region. Her impressive career includes the 2010 International Investigator Award from the Council of International Investigators. In 2014 she became president of the organization, which represents hundreds of professional investigators on seven continents.
Sheila handles all requests for J2 clients in Singapore and the neighboring region. Her specialties include due diligence, fraud investigations, and brand protection matters. She is a graduate of Edith Cowan University and is a Certified International Investigator.
Yosh Wong
International Investigator
Certified Fraud Examiner
Hong Kong
Yosh Wong has been a professional investigator and corporate security advisor since 1999. His background includes extensive travel throughout the Pacific Rim, where he has worked thousands of FCPA compliance and investigative due diligence projects. J2 relies on Yosh and his team for all our needs in Hong Kong and China.
Yosh holds a Master of Laws degree and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. He is active in the Council of International Investigators, the International Intelligence Network, and the Association of British Investigators.
Paddy Beiner
Certified International Investigator
Berlin, Germany
Paddy Beiner is commercial intelligence and investigative professional with over two decades of international experience. From London and Frankfurt to Johannesburg and Geneva, he has acquired considerable experience in multi-jurisdictional investigations, asset searches, due diligence, and fraud matters. Paddy and his team handle all of J2’s European Union and Eastern European matters.
Paddy is a graduate of the University of Leeds and is active in the Council of International Investigators, where he earned his Certified International Investigator status.
TESTIMONIALS
“We’ve worked with Tom for many years. They’ve assisted with our due diligence projects and provided valuable counsel on many complicated matters. Tom is our first call for investigative services.”
Ryan Palmer, Partner, Lathrop GPM
“We had reason during an acquisition to question the ethics of the seller, so we hired Tom to research the background of the seller…..only to find he was a convicted of mail fraud. This has been hugely valuable in minimizing our risks in this transaction. Naturally, speed in these situations is always critical and Tom and team delivered in less that a week over the Christmas Holidays.”
Larry Haberman, CEO, Black Ink Consulting
“Tom has handled our background investigations for years now and i have been completely happy with his services from day one! He delivers on commitments and shows incredible flexibility to be able to provide custom services as needed.”
Andhi Michaux, Chief HR Officer, Garda Capital Partners
“I have had the privilege to work with Paul in a variety of capacities over the past five years. Not only is he among the best I have ever worked with, he is one of only a handful of investigators in the country who is experienced at, and capable of delivering, complex investigations on a large scale. His firm has no rival in the markets that they serve. Not only is he an exceptional leader at his agency, he is also a true leader in the investigative community.”
Paul Dank, CFE CEO, ASG Investigations
“Paul and Tom Jaeb are consummate professionals. Their shared expertise in complex individual, corporate, and due diligence matters is impressive. It is not a surprise that the top business leaders in the region rely on J2 Risk Solutions for every investigative and security need. Their reputations as the best of the best is hard earned.”
Ted Capistrant, Founder/President, Profit Builder Network
“Paul is easily one of the sharpest individuals I have ever met. He is a master at “reading” people and brings a valuable clarity to any situation he encounters. He is the quintessential “trusted advisor” to his clients, which is even more important given the nature of the intelligence work he does for attorneys, lenders and other business professionals. Paul is the premier “go-to” guy for both routine and complex corporate intelligence matters.”
Steve Stoup, Director, Commercial Banking, BMO Harris Bank
“Paul’s professionalism is unparalleled. He is an active listener, which assists him in responding to a situation appropriately. Paul puts the client’s needs first to ensure that he, and his team of professionals, are providing effective client services. I highly recommend Paul and his team.”
Debra Thompson, CPA CFO, Genuine Genius Technologies
“Most of us agree that successful, wealthy, famous, world-renowned business and thought leaders have more to lose than most of us. That’s why the same people look up to and engage Paul Jaeb. His clients want insight and peace of mind. Paul helps us sleep well at night. He keeps leaders and mere mortals like me safe. He watches our backs. Hiring Paul is like having the ultimate watchdog protector guarding your family fortress and deepest secrets, except he’s human. He will be the quietest man in the room. Nobody sees him watching over you. Talk with Paul if you swim with sharks. You won’t get eaten alive.”
Cliff Jones, Managing Partner, Clarity Strategic Advisors, LLC