Prior to entering the private sector, Mark was employed as a full-time sworn officer from 1989 to 2003 and part-time again from 2005 through 2018. During his law enforcement career, he was assigned to both Patrol and the Investigations Division. He received specialized training and work experience in many areas including: Violent Crimes Investigation, Forgery/Fraud, Property Crimes, Crimes against Persons, and Narcotics Investigation. He was also assigned to the Sonoma County Narcotics Task Force as an undercover narcotics officer for a number of years. During that time, he received immense training and experience in the field of narcotics and possession for sale cases. This assignment also allowed Mark to receive advanced training and practical field experience in surveillance operations.
Mark and his team logged thousands of hours performing all types of surveillance, which included static, mobile, aerial, and electronic. Mark is a court-certified expert witness in the Sonoma, Mendocino, and Marin County Superior Courts for both narcotics matters and workplace employment investigations. Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s College, Moraga in Business Management. In 1996, Mark attended the DOJ sponsored Robert Presley Institute of Criminal Investigations and received his advanced certificate in criminal investigations. In 2009, Mark was accredited by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) after passing both the stringent application and testing process.
In 2013, Mark refocused his investigative career path to become a specialist in public and private sector workplace investigations involving complex discrimination and harassment claims. Mark is a member of AWI – Association of Workplace Investigators.
As a retired Police Officer and Veteran of the United States Military, Chas brings over 20 years of experience in the fields of investigations, surveillance, and security to Whitestar Group. Prior to joining Whitestar Group, Chas spent over 7 years in the private investigations sector, specializing in fraud investigations. He was trusted to oversee some of the most detailed and complex investigations assigned to his former employer, a nationally known investigations company.
Chas has become an instrumental component of the Whitestar Group management team. He has developed a training program that assists both new and seasoned investigators to hone their skillsets by utilizing practices to increase our overall success when conducting complex surveillance investigations.
As of May 2022, Chas was chosen to oversee the security division. His commitment to excellence in training for our personnel has resulted in higher employee retention rates and guards that are more prepared to deal with the unusual circumstances that affect our industry.
Of notable interest, Chas graduated first in his police academy class at Alameda Police Academy. During his time as a Police Officer, Chas was a four-time M.A.D.D. award recipient. He was also promoted to K-9 officer, field training officer and served as a member on several task forces before medically retiring in 2013.
Erin Kessler is the Office Manager and Human Resources Specialist, supporting all facets of the company’s operations. Her duties include recruiting/staffing and human resources, case intake and investigation support, invoicing and accounting duties, as well as supporting the day-to-day operations. Erin joined the Whitestar team in May 2022. Erin has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Mary’s College of California and a Human Resources Management Certificate from Sonoma State University. She is a member of the California Association of Licensed Investigators (CALI) and serves as our point of contact for CALI List Serv assignments.
Jeff Justice has been working for Whitestar Group Investigative Services as a Workplace Investigator since May of 2022. Jeff retired as a Police Lieutenant and Fire Battalion Chief, after a 23-year career. Throughout his career, he always focused on working with community members, schools, and businesses to ensure their safety. In 2005, Jeff was named the Sonoma County Peace Officer of the Year. He also received the Red Cross Real Heroes Award, as well as commendations from the California State Senate and House of Representatives for his efforts.
As an Officer, Jeff held assignments in Patrol, Investigations, the Special Enforcement Unit, and the Sonoma County Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Team. As a Sergeant, Jeff supervised Patrol, the Investigations Unit, and the Special Enforcement Unit. During his career, he received specialized training in Basic Criminal Investigations, Gang Investigations, Narcotics Investigations, Homicide Investigations, Sexual Assault Investigations, Officer Involved Shooting Investigations, and Internal Affairs Investigations. Many of those courses were through the Robert Pressley Institute of Criminal Investigations, which Jeff received a Homicide Investigation certificate from. Jeff also graduated from the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute for law enforcement.
Jeff has experience conducting and supervising multiple types of investigations to include property crimes, financial crimes, violent crimes, sex crimes, officer involved shootings, gang crimes, narcotics crimes, as well as fire cause and origin investigations. Jeff also has experience conducting administrative internal investigations on allegations of policy and criminal violations. He has been recognized as a certified expert in street gangs and narcotics sales in Sonoma County Courts, and he has received numerous commendations for his investigations. Jeff also trained officers on how to conduct criminal investigations and administrative investigations. Jeff has been a member of the Association of Workplace Investigators since 2022.
Jon Anderson was raised in Santa Rosa, California and attended CSU Chico where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. After working as a substitute teacher he attended the SRJC Basic Law Enforcement Academy in 1997 and was hired by the Willits Police Department.
While employed by the WPD he was promoted to Patrol Sergeant and carried multiple collateral assignments to include; Range Master, Field Training Officer, SWAT Assistant Team Leader, K9 Supervisor, and Training Manager.
In 2016 Anderson laterally transferred to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office and earned collateral positions as a Firearms Instructor, Field Training Officer, and Hostage Negotiations Team member. He additionally earned a promotion to Violent Crime Investigations Detective. Anderson retired from the SCSO in 2022 after 25 years as a California State Peace Officer.
Anderson continues to work part time for the SCSO as a Court Security Deputy and as the Training Officer for Whitestar Group. Jon is also employed in the Specialized Security Division of Whitestar as a Security Specialist. Jon is also a BSIS Certified Instructor for the Security Division and coordinates the division’s internal training program.
Krista joined Whitestar Group in 2010 as an Investigation Support clerk. Since her background was in the legal field as a paralegal, it became increasingly evident that she was well suited to begin training as an investigator. At the time, Krista was our only employee that came to our firm with a career outside of law enforcement. After a short period of time, she became exceptionally proficient as a workers’ compensation insurance investigator.
Since that time, Krista has become one of the leading pre-employment background investigators, and insurance investigators. In 2021, Krista also began conducting workplace investigations after receiving hundreds of hours of training in the field.
Mike Tosti is a retired law-enforcement executive and military veteran with over 28 years of law enforcement experience. Mike has command level experience leading tactical and investigative operations in Patrol, Investigations, and Special Response and Hostage Negotiations. Mike led and directed law enforcement personnel in his collateral assignment with the San Francisco Joint Terrorism Task Force in coordinating national security matters. Mike was a Supervising Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Agency where he conducted covert undercover operations into transnational drug trafficking organizations. Over his career, Mike has employed a multitude of diverse, innovative, and investigative techniques to identify, assess, and successfully manage complex investigations.
Mike is a nationally recognized instructor and Certified Force Science and Human Factors Analyst. Mike has trained security stakeholders, educators, administrators, and thousands of local, state, federal and international law enforcement personnel to include DEA, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Pakistani National Police Force.
Mike has conducted a variety of consulting and investigative services for the public and private sectors, including; workplace violence investigations, behavioral risk assessments, strategy development, administrative and internal affairs investigations and investigations into bank secrecy compliance violations. Mike’s clients have included city government officials, executive staff personnel, human resource managers, education, financial institutions, and public utilities entities.
Mike is a certified Bank Secrecy Officer and has managed anti-money laundering systems and controls and the Bank Secrecy Act compliance program for a large financial institution. Mike is licensed as a Private Investigator by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and holds a federal Secret Security clearance. Mike received his Bachelor of Science degree from the California Coast University in Criminal Justice graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Rick Kohut was a law enforcement professional with over 25 years of experience and retired as a Lieutenant with the Santa Rosa Police Department, located in Sonoma County California. Rick had the opportunity to serve in several different positions, which allowed him to gain a wide variety of experience.
Rick has been the lead investigator on Critical Incidents, Homicides, Bank Robberies, Assaults, Missing Persons and many other complex investigations to include employee policy violations or misconduct. Throughout his career he had the opportunity to obtain a great deal of experience in the area of surveillance techniques and other technologies to bring these investigations to a successful conclusion.
During his career Rick conducted threat assessment and developed mitigation strategies for venues throughout Santa Rosa Ca. Rick has managed the security of events such as the Sonoma County Country Summer Concert series, Ironman, Ironman 70.5, Santa Rosa Marathon, Santa Rosa Rose Parade, Grand Fundo Bike Tour and many others.
As a law enforcement manager, Rick supervised many units within the organization, including tactical teams, Hostage Negotiations Team, K-9-unit, Traffic Division and Incident Management Team. Rick has supervised high liability incidents and the complex investigations associated with such incidents.
Robert joined Whitestar Group in 2023 as a Close Protection Security Specialist and as an Active Shooter Training Instructor for public and private entities.
Robert joined the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department in 1999. During his career at the sheriff’s office, he held positions in Corrections, Patrol and Investigations. Robert held the collateral duty as a SWAT team member.
His credentials include specialized training and experience in the following areas:
Rod joined Whitestar Group in 2023 as a Close Protection Security Specialist and as an Active Shooter Training Instructor for public and private entities.
Rod Graduated from the CA State University Sacramento in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He joined the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department in 1994 and retired in 2022. During his career at the sheriff’s office, he held positions in Patrol, Investigations and as a School Resource Officer. Rod held the collateral duty as a SWAT team member.
His credentials include specialized training and experience in the following areas:
Sean joined Whitestar Group in 2023 as a Close Protection Security Specialist and as an Active Shooter Training Instructor for public and private entities.
Sean joined the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department in 2004. During his career at the sheriff’s office, he held positions in Patrol, Canine Handler, Detective, Sergeant before being promoted to Lieutenant in 2000.
Sean’s credentials include specialized training and experience in the following areas:
Tom comes to Whitestar Group after serving in the United States Military. Tom received specialized training in small unit tactics and demolitions as a Combat Engineer. He joined Whitestar Group in 2021 with 5 years of security experience, which he obtained after the military He continued to serve in the California National Guard until 2023. During his military career, Tom also became proficient utilizing several varieties of weapons systems and vehicle operations. As a Security Specialist with Whitestar, Tom received additional training in the field of close protection security and security management. Tom was promoted in 2022 to Security Manager after demonstrating exceptional operational capabilities and a calm demeanor during stressful conditions.
Whitestar Group is a Bay-Area based investigation and security firm that services public and private sector clients throughout Northern California. Born of law enforcement and refined for the private sector, Whitestar Group investigators and guards provide the highest level of service available in the industry today.