About

Our History
Shadow Investigations, founded in 1993, is a full-service investigations firm, focused on corporate, legal, insurance and individual/personal investigations. Shadow provides investigative solutions for decisions pertaining to business and industrial intelligence, risk management, fraud, and personal and criminal history. Shadow provides clients with specialized investigative services by focusing on individual client’s need, and maintain the highest standard of professionalism and integrity.
Shadow has developed and maintained a highly successful business based on three principles: Exceptional customer service; an aggressive, result-oriented method of investigation; and a targeted focus on employee training and education.
Shadow Investigations is proud to be licensed in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Shadow also has reciprocity to provide services in California, Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Georgia.

Our Founder
John Harris, Founder and President
John holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University and has spent over twenty-five years in the insurance fraud investigative industry. Over the past 25 years, John has built Shadow Investigations Inc., from a single room out of his house to the present location; a 5,000+ sq ft corporate headquarters in Livonia, Michigan. He is a member of the ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) and has served on the board of the MCPI (Michigan Council of Private Investigators). He is a licensed private investigator in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, and both North and South Carolina.
Our Team
Any company is only as strong as its employees. Being an equal opportunity employer has allowed this company to build a diverse staff. Demographics often play an important role in determining the employee that is best suited for the operation. Having the ability to blend-in allows our professionals the best chance to observe and document subject activity without compromising the surveillance.
It has been proven, year after year, 26 years in the making, that the business strategy and tactics employed when the company was founded, continue to yield success for the company.
Meet the Team!


Ashley Stancev, Assistant Operations & Process Serve Manager
Ashley Stancev joined Shadow in early 2018 as part of the Sales and Marketing Team. Being adaptable, highly organized, and effective at solving problems, Ashley quickly discovered her skill set would be better utilized in an administrative capacity. Ashley redefined her role with Shadow Investigations in 2020, taking the lead as Assistant Manager of Operations and Process Serving Team Manager. Ashley completely overhauled the Process Serving Team and has continued to successfully maintain and grow this small but crucial service for Shadow’s Metro Detroit clients. Prior to Shadow, Ashley choreographed for local theater groups, as well as taught dance for a local Metro Detroit dance studio while pursuing a career in cosmetology, having graduated from the Douglas J Aveda Institute in Chicago. Outside of the business world, Ashley is passionate about the performing arts, especially dance. One of her most notable roles was as a professional dancer on an accomplished Detroit-based professional sports team.

Gabriele “Abby” Freeman, Operations Support Specialist
Gabriele Freeman, or better known simply as Abby, joined the Shadow team in 2018 shortly after graduating from Spring Arbor University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to graduation, she worked in the hospitality industry for several years. At present, Abby holds the position of Operations Support Specialist, which allows her the ability to review video surveillance and complete accurate reports for Shadow clients. Outside of the office, Abby is passionate about fitness, and can be often spotted after work in Shadow’s expansive private gym. Additionally, Abby is an avid motorcycle enthusiast, archer, reader, billiards player and volunteer at her local American Legion.

Steven J. Ives, Assistant Operations Manager
Bio Coming Soon!

Andrea Jones, Director of National Accounts
Andrea Jones graduated from Virginia Tech with a BA in Public Relations, as well as a BA in English. She spent time with The American Red Cross in the Public Affairs department before shifting career paths to join a boutique multi-communications firm where she helped create customized communications strategies for large corporations, museums and other organizations. Andrea then moved to Texas where she pursued a career in marketing and branding, working with various local organizations to increase visibility and community impact. From there, Andrea moved to Michigan where she continued working with local agencies before becoming a member of Shadow’s team. In her free time, she is a video game fanatic and fitness enthusiast who holds several national powerlifting records.

Jonathon Younkman, Vice President
Jonathon formally joined the Shadow team in 2016 after spending several years working in both the public and private sectors in a business development, strategy, and management consulting capacity. However, Jonathon’s first involvement with Shadow began back in 2014, when he and company founder, John Harris, began talks and collaborations on a variety of business-related initiatives. Jonathon received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees with honors from the University of Michigan - Dearborn. He is also a graduate of Delta College near his hometown of Bay City, Michigan, as well as is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science. Jonathon also holds a variety of professional certifications ranging from economic development to finance to leadership from a variety of accrediting institutions. In addition to his professional life and career accomplishments, Jonathon is an avid golfer and would not hesitate to hold business meetings on the links rather than in a conference room.

Benjamin Brinker, Operations Manager
Ben Brinker joined the Shadow team 2013, starting as a field investigator. Over the next several years, Ben worked his way up the ranks into a field management role before leaving the field for the office as Operations Manager. Ben earned an associate’s degree from Washtenaw Community College in criminal justice before transferring to Eastern Michigan University to further his education. Prior to joining Shadow, Ben worked with the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attack. He helped structure, lead, and train staff helping protect the American airways. After his time with DHS, Ben went on to run several successful businesses. Ben has multiple certifications ranging from NRA firearms instructor, counterterrorism, to leadership. While he may be a “workaholic” he does enjoy his time with family in the outdoors, fishing, riding ATV’s and hiking in Northern Michigan.

Hannah Howell, Account Manager/Entitlement Specialist
Hannah Howell joined the Shadow family in 2017, initially as an investigator within the SIU Team. Before starting at Shadow, Hannah spent several years in customer service and patron relations within the hospitality industry. Hannah also spent several years as a coach for a local middle school volleyball team. After graduating from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Hannah was accepted into the Michigan State Police Academy, where after she graduated and joined the ranks of the Michigan State Police. After leaving the State Police, Hannah joined Shadow as an investigator. However, she quickly transitioned within the company to join the sales team as an Account Representative, and later promoted to Account Manager. Hannah now holds a dual role both as an Account Manager as well as an SIU investigator with a focus on Order of Priority/Entitlement investigations. In her free time, she enjoys fitness, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, and spending time in Northern Michigan with her family and her dog. Anything outdoors related, count Hannah in!

Andrew Furie III, Sr. SIU Coordinator
Having joined the company in 2016, Andrew brings perhaps the most diverse and eclectic background of anyone on the Shadow team. Andrew has found success and recognition in high level import/export management, as an executive chef, sports entertainment writer and performer, corporate resource development and data analyst, and has been certified in a variety of professional disciplines, including the highly regarded Wicklander-Zulawski Interview and Interrogation program. This diverse background allows him to bring a unique perspective to every investigation he oversees and helps keep Shadow a step ahead of the competition.
Careers
Want to be part of our team? Contact us at careers@shadowweb.us
View our Job Opening below and if you are interested submit your resume using our form.








Careers
Want to be part of our team? Contact us at careers@shadowweb.us
View our Job Opening below and if you are interested submit your resume using our form.