NYS IAAI Officers
M. Dixon Robin | President
Dixon Robin is a Supervisory Special Agent/Certified Fire Investigator with the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Based out of Rochester, New York. Dixon has been a Supervisor with ATF’s National Response Team since 2017. In this role, Dixon leads a veteran team of ATF Special Agents and subject matter experts in responding to large fire and explosion events throughout the United States to investigate potential violations of Federal and state arson and explosives laws.
Dixon has been employed in Federal law enforcement for over 24 years. Following stints as a Special Agent with both the National Science Foundation’s Office of Inspector General and NASA’s Office of Inspector General, Dixon joined ATF in 1998. In 2003, Dixon entered ATF’s CFI program and was assigned a position in the ATF Rochester, NY Field Office. Dixon worked daily with the Rochester Arson Task Force which not only responded to assist in processing fire scenes but also concentrated on the State and Federal investigation/prosecution of arson- and explosives-related crimes. During this time, Dixon joined ATF’s National Response Team, eventually becoming a full time member in 2015.
In addition to being the President for NYSIAAI, Dixon is a member of NIST’s OSAC Fire and Explosion Investigation subcommittee. Dixon has taught and coordinated several courses on fire investigation throughout New York, the United States, and overseas. Dixon was assigned as an ATF Project Officer at the National Fire Academy (NFA) and has taught there numerous times.
Dixon holds a BA (History) and an MA (Forensics – Crime in Commerce) from The George Washington University. In addition, Dixon is an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) and Certified Instructor (CI).
Ric Giampaolo | Secretary/Treasurer
Ric Giampaolo assumed the role of Secretary / Treasurer for the NYS IAAI in November 2021, having served as Vice President of the Southeastern Zone for five years prior. Ric previously served as a director-at-large in NYS IAAI for two years.
Ric joined the New York City Fire Department in 1990. Before being promoted to Fire Marshal, he spent twelve years as a firefighter in the Bronx and Manhattan. Ric served as a Fire Marshal for ten years, in various capacities within the Bureau of Fire Investigation, before being promoted to Supervising Fire Marshal. He engaged in numerous investigative and administrative capacities in his six years of experience as a supervisor. Ric was the Executive Officer to the Chief Fire Marshal and the Director of Security for the FDNY. He graduated from the Fire Officers Management Institute in 2015. Ric retired in 2018.
Ric has earned many New York State certifications, including Level I & II Fire Investigator, Electrical Fire Cause Determination II, and Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Specialist I. He is also a Pro Board recognized Fire Service Instructor II.
As a fire investigator, Ric has been qualified and acknowledged as an expert witness in the counties of Bronx and Kings and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and has testified to the origin and cause of fires.
Ric joined the IAAI in 2013 and is currently a Certified Fire Investigator. He has been a member of the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators since 2003 and the Fraternal Order of Police since 2002. He has been a NAFI Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator since 2009.
Ric has also been a member of the Hudson Valley Fire Investigators Association since 2016.
Ron Ryan | Sergeant at Arms
Ron Ryan has been affiliated with the fire service for over 48 years and has held numerous offices during that time including obtaining the rank of Chief at age 23. He is currently and has been a Fire Investigator with Onondaga County, Department of Emergency Management for 34 years. Ron is both New York State and Nationally Certified as a Fire Investigator and has conducted thousands of fire investigations over his career including several arson-homicides. Ron has testified and qualified as an expert witness in the fire investigation field in Local, State and Federal Courts. He currently is an Adjunct Professor at Onondaga Community College teaching Fire Investigation courses and an Adjunct Instructor with NYS Department of State DBSC. He is a Registered NYS Code Enforcement Official. Ron has published several fire service articles and is the author of the novel “Teflon Shelly”. Ron possesses a UAS Remote Pilot, Part 107, license through the FAA and is a pilot with Onondaga County Emergency Management UAS program.
Scott A Shear, IAAI CFI | Western Vice President
Where do you live: Fairport, NY Monroe County
Where do you work: Retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Investigator. Currently employed at Fire Research and Technology
How many years have you been an FI: 10 years while in the Sheriff’s Office, 3 ½ in the private sector
How many years have you served on the Board: Approximately 2 years
How many years have you been a member of the Chapter: Approximately 5 years
Why did you decide to join the fire service and/or become an investigator: As a public service employee, I was involved in both, the Fire and Police, departments. I was always interested in solving the puzzle of how and why. The challenging field keeps me engaged every day.
Scott Phillips | Director (at Large)
Mr. Scott Phillips is the Vice President of Forensic and Failure Analysis, Inc. and a New York State (NYS) licensed Professional Engineer, with an extensive background in conducting investigations, testing, and troubleshooting. Mr. Phillips has been investigating fire and insurance losses for Forensic & Failure Analysis since July 2013.
Mr. Phillips is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) . Mr. Phillips volunteers his time as a board member (Director at Large) and with the Training and Education (T&E) committee of the NYS Chapter of the IAAI. The T&E committee provides training to all levels of Fire Investigators throughout New York State.
Mr. Phillips areas of work include but are not limited to subrogation, product liability and defense, property damage claims, water losses, engineering for fire and explosion investigations, propane and gas consuming appliance testing and analysis, personal injury claims, vehicle fires and component failures, technical consultation of claim adjustments, power systems, and many more.
Mr. Phillips’ wide ranging background includes design of automated test stands for international and US DOD military products, designing and constructing high voltage isolation interface circuitry for fuel cell stack impedance measurements, high pressure fluid systems, vacuum coating systems, and material tests for electrical insulation/continuity.
Mr. Phillips has also been involved in creating reference standards, research and development, and international training in failure analysis of circuit and system level defects for consumer products on a multinational joint development programs with manufacturers in southeast Asia.
Mr. Phillips has been involved in design, prototype development, quality control, testing and operating cost analysis on a variety of technology development programs and authored (co-authored) three US patents.
As an Eagle Scout, Mr. Phillips continues his pledge of giving back to his community. He has volunteered for sixteen years as a First Robotics mentor teaching intercity high school students.
Joseph Galloway | Central Vice President
Joseph Galloway IAAI-CFI has over 30 years of experience in the fire service. He retired from the Syracuse Fire Department in 2018, where he was assigned to the Fire Investigation Bureau for 15 years, the last 5 of which he was the unit supervisor. Joe is also still active as a Youth Fire setter Intervention Specialist II.
Currently, Joe is a New York State Fire Instructor for the Investigations Bureau assisting with education and training of new fire investigators. He also teaches programs locally and across the state. Joe works with the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office as needed on fire related cases.
In addition to his work, Joe serves as the Central Vice President for the New York State Chapter of the International Association of Arson investigators, NYS IAAI.
William J. McGovern, Jr. | Eastern Vice President
William J. McGovern, Jr. is Chief of the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s Investigations Branch. Bill has served in this position since November of 2018. He is responsible for management of the Office’s fire investigation personnel, curriculum, and technical assistance programs in addition to the development and implementation of various policies, protocols, controls and directives related to fire investigation.
Immediately prior, Bill served as a Deputy Chief in the same unit for five years where he supervised investigative personnel, oversaw daily and emergency operation of the investigation unit and managed the Office of Fire Prevention and Control’s fire and arson investigation curriculum.
Previously Bill was an Investigator for the Office of Fire Prevention and Control for eleven years. During that time, he instructed various fire investigation courses, organized several educational programs, and provided on-scene technical assistance to agencies throughout New York.
Bill has an Associate Degree in Fire Protection Technology and is nationally certified as both Fire Instructor and Fire Investigator. He also holds New York State certification in several fire and law enforcement categories, including Peace Officer.
Bill joined the Cobleskill Fire Department in 1987 and served that agency in various positions, including several years as Assistant Chief. He was also employed as a State Fire Instructor, assigned to Schoharie County, and a member of the Schoharie County Fire Investigation Team.
Bill currently holds professional and organizational memberships in the International Association of Arson Investigators, New York State Chapter 23 Fire Investigators; where he serves as Vice President of the Eastern Zone, North American Police Work Dog Association, and the State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association.
Philip E Brousseau | Eastern Zone Director
Philip E Brousseau – Is the Eastern Zone Director for the New York Chapter of the IAAI.
Director Brousseau is a Desk Sergeant with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office. . One of Sergeant Brousseau’s primary duties is supervising the Saratoga County 911 center which is the primary answering and dispatching point for emergency and non-emergency incidents within the county.
For over 40 years, Director Brousseau has been an active member of the Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Company in the Town of Clifton Park. During his time with the fire company, he rose through the ranks, serving for twenty six years as a chief officer. Ten of his twenty six years were as Chief of the Department stepping down in 2019. Chief Brousseau currently service as a Safety Officer and Secretary of the Fire Company. During his service, Chief Brousseau has been the recipient of several awards including the Town of Clifton Park Life Saving Award in 2000 for his actions as the Incident Command that resulted in the successful rescue of a 12 year old boy that fell through the Ice on the Mohawk River.
Chief Brousseau is a senior investigator with the Saratoga County Fire Investigation Unit and is Pro-Board Certified. He is also the Eastern Zone Director of the New York State Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Chief Brousseau was recently elected President of the Capital District Fire Investigator Association. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Saratoga County Fire Officer’s Association and is a past member of the Saratoga Fie Advisory Board.
In 1983 Chief Brousseau graduated from the State University of New York College of Arts and Science at Oswego with a political science degree. In 1981 the college awarded Chief Brousseau as its first recipient the SUNY Oswego Outstanding Achievement Award which recognized his contributions to the college as a student government leader and as the President of the Auxiliary Service Corporation during his senior year in conjunction with his service to his home community. After College Chief Brousseau obtained his Insurance agents license and worked for several insurance agencies and the Travelers Insurance Company prior to joining the Sheriff’s Office.
Director Brousseau can be reached at eastdir@nyfireinvestigators.org.
John Zboinski | Southern Zone Director
Dr. John Zboinski joined the NYS IAAI in 2014 and is currently the Southern Zone Director with the NYS IAAI have been appointed to the position in 2023.
John serves as a Captain in the East Fishkill Fire District Fire Investigation Unit as well as a Captain with the Dutchess County Fire Investigation Team.
Dr. Zboinski received his Podiatric Medicine degree in 1994. He received his Biology degree from Marist College in 1990. He is a Pro-Board Certified New York State Fire Investigator.
Jim Cuffe | Southeastern Vice President
James Cuffe is a Deputy Fire Coordinator for the Cause and Origin Team at the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services. Jim has served in this capacity since June 2003 and is responsible for management of the fire investigation personnel as well as the development and implementation of various policies and protocols related to fire investigation. Jim also acts as a Team liaison between the numerous police and fire organizations, Office of the District Attorney and Department of Labs and Research within Westchester County. He has been a fire investigator with Team since June 1998.
Jim served nearly twenty-fire YfarS with tp.e Town of North Castle Police Department, holding the rank of Sergeant for over fifteen of those years. In addition to patrol supervision duties, Jim was assigned to the Department’s Emergency Service Unit as its commanding officer since 2006, having been originally assigned to ESU as a PO from its inception in 1994 due to his training as an EMT and fire service background. He was the Department’s Accreditation Program Manager from 2012 until his retirement from the PD in August 2018. Additionally, Jim’s emergency service experience includes: almost 40 years in the fire service with the Independent Fire Company of the Mount Kisco Fire Department, having previously served as Captain; over 32 years of EMS experience with the Mount Kisco Volunteer Ambulance Corps, having served as Captain and President.
Jim holds professional and organizational memberships in the International Association of Arson Investigators, New York State Chapter 23 Fire Investigators, serving as Vice President of the Southeastern Zone since 2021, and the Hudson Valley Fire Investigators Association, serving as Vice President since 2018. Jim is certified as a fire investigator with the IAAI, Pro Board@, New York State OFPC, and is a Pro Board@ Certified Fire Service Instructor II. Jim is also a NYS EMT and CIC.
Michael W. Russo | Southeastern Director
Michael W. Russo, IAAI – CFI is President of T J Russo Consultants, one of the largest independent fire and explosion investigation firms in the northeast. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, Postgraduate work in Education, holds numerous certifications in his field of expertise and has conducted as well as assisted in over 3,500 investigations.
Over the years Mr. Russo and his company have been retained either from a 1st or 3rd party perspective on some of the largest fire losses in our history. Some notable cases they’ve been involved with include both attacks on the World Trade Center, meaning the bombing in 1993 and attack on our country in 2001; The Station Night Club in West Warwick, Rhode Island, a fire started by pyrotechnics that lead to 100 fatalities; The Dupont Plaza Hotel and Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico, one of the worst high rise fires in our history, causing 96 fatalities and 150 injuries; Allou Health and Beauty, an over 150 million dollar “Arson for Profit” investigation involving the principles of this publicly traded company; amongst others.
For the past 20 years, Mr. Russo has been an instructor for the FDNY Bureau of Fire Investigation, where he teaches advanced fire investigation curriculums. Mr. Russo has served as an instructor for the Fire Department Instructors Conference, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Insurance Committee for Arson Control and the National Insurance Crime Bureau “SIU Training Academy.” He has lectured at over 40 training conferences throughout the United States and Canada. And has participated on numerous committees for the chapter.
Gary Patnode | Director (at large)
Gary P. Patnode is currently Deputy Coordinator for the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management Services. As part of that role, he is responsible for the management of the County’s HazMat Team, Rope Rescue Team, Fire Investigation Team and assists in the coordination of emergency services and direction of appropriate operations in normal daily emergency management activities. Gary has been a New York State Fire Instructor since 2013. Prior to working for Genesee County, Gary worked in construction for 25 years. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Building Construction from Alfred State College.
In 1997, Gary joined the Town of Alabama Fire Department and served that agency in various positions including Board of Dire.c.tor. He worked through all the line officer ranks culminating his 13 years as Fire Chief.
Gary is a pro-board certified fire investigator and holds national and NYS certifications in a variety of disciplines. He is a member of FASNY, NYSEMA, NYS Chapter 23 Fire Investigators, and the International Association of Arson Investigators.
For the past 20 years, Mr. Russo has been an instructor for the FDNY Bureau of Fire Investigation, where he teaches advanced fire investigation curriculums. Mr. Russo has served as an instructor for the Fire Department Instructors Conference, the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Insurance Committee for Arson Control and the National Insurance Crime Bureau “SIU Training Academy.” He has lectured at over 40 training conferences throughout the United States and Canada. And has participated on numerous committees for the chapter.
Nick Fletcher | Director (at large)
Nicholas T. Fletcher is currently Director-at large.
Nicholas is currently finishing a law degree at Albany Law School of Union University in Albany, New York. Nicholas was accepted into the New York State Office of Court Administration’s Pro Bono Scholars program and is therefore sitting for the February 2020 bar exam before graduating in May 2020.
Nicholas has an A.A.S. in Fire Protection Technology from Onondaga Community College and a B.A. from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and College of Arts and Sciences.
Prior to law school, Nicholas worked as a Fire Investigator for the Onondaga County Department of Emergency Management. While an investigator, Nicholas lead and assisted in fire investigations leading to the arrest and conviction of multiple individuals for arson, homicide and other offenses. Nicholas has presented on various fire investigation topics throughout the state of New York.
Nicholas joined the Sherrill-Kenwood Volunteer Fire Department in 2009 and holds various national fire service certifications, including a national certification in fire investigation.
Nicholas joined the board of directors in 2014 and currently serves on the membership committee. You can email Nicholas at diral3@nyfireinvestigators.org.
Kevin Winton | Director (at large)
Kavin Winton is currently a Director-at-Large.
He is employed by New York Central Mutual as a Certified Fraud Investigator. A graduate of Morrisville College, in his 30-plus years of insurance experience he has received multiple insurance designations, certifications and degrees.
Kavin joined the New Berlin Fire Department in 1989 and served that agency in various positions, including Assistant Chief. He gravitated toward fire investigation and joined the Chenango County Office of Emergency Services Investigative Unit in 2007. Promoted to Assistant Deputy Coordinator and Assistant Supervisor in 2010, Kavin also co-chairs Chenango County’s Juvenile Fire-Setter Intervention Program.