Meet the Team

My interest in Missing Persons began terribly and abruptly on March 19, 2004. My wonderful 17-year old-daughter, Brianna Maitland, went missing. Life changed from that point on for me. A living hell that no parent should ever go through. In the years since, the endless searching and sleepless nights, not knowing where or what happened to her has taken its toll and continues to this day. In the last few years, the idea was brought to me by my friend and private investigator Greg Overacker (who has donated much time and energy to assisting in finding Brianna) to start this non-profit. It is an unfortunate reality that police have limited resources and time, and private investigators can sometimes get answers from people unwilling to speak to police. It is also an unfortunate reality that the costs of private investigators are beyond the ability of most of us to afford. I started this organization, Private Investigations for the Missing, to help solve this problem for missing persons and their loved ones. I do this in honor of my daughter Brianna Maitland. I think by helping others, will bring some good out of evil in this life.

James W. Baker served with the Vermont State Police for over 30 years, rising to the rank of Colonel. He served as the Director from 2006-2009. He received a B.S. in Criminal Justice Management from Southern Vermont College and is a graduate of the 188th Session of the FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia. In the fall of 2009, he started a consulting business called JW Consulting. Through his consulting, he held multiple roles in Vermont and federal law enforcement agencies. Baker was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Rutland in August 2012 and received a Gubernatorial Appointment to the Vermont Criminal Justice and Substance Abuse Cabinet in October 2014. He left the position as Chief of Police in January 2015 to accept a position with the International Association of Chiefs of Police as the Director of Law Enforcement Operation and Support.

Steve is a licensed Private Investigator and the owner of G3 Investigations, based in Dallas, TX. G3 focuses on active cases involving missing persons and cases with possible ties to human trafficking. Mr. Gelinske currently partners with PIFTM for investigations within his jurisdiction and collaborates on cases outside his jurisdiction.

Michelle Kaszuba has been a prosecutor since graduating from Hofstra University School of Law in 2010. A portion of her career was spent in a specialized unit that investigated homicides, suspicious deaths and vehicular deaths alongside homicide detectives, resulting in the indictments and convictions of many perpetrators. She has also worked with the cold case units to investigate unsolved murders and disappearances. ​

From the Boston suburb of Medford, Massachusetts, Tim's father got him involved in Medford’s public access station at the age of nine, where he was soon directing live shows. After success on stage in college and Boston, Tim embarked for Los Angeles in 2004 and has worked in the entertainment industry ever since. From the Boston suburb of Medford, Massachusetts, Tim's father got him involved in Medford’s public access station at the age of nine, where he was soon directing live shows. After success on stage in college and Boston, Tim embarked for Los Angeles in 2004 and has worked in the entertainment industry ever since. Tim currently hosts three popular true crime podcasts: Crawlspace, Missing and Empty Frames with his friend of 15 years Lance Reenstierna. Missing Maura Murray was the inspiration for Oxygen Network’s The Disappearance of Maura Murray, which was a cable hit.

Lance Reenstierna began his career in the entertainment and media industry by producing original stage shows and murder mystery dinner theater experiences. A troupe was formed, and over the course of ten years and a dozen shows, performances brought the houses down. Midway through this time, Tim Pilleri joined the group. From there, the partnership was formed, and the pair has gone on to produce short and feature films, documentaries, live shows, and their niche, true crime podcasting.