About our Team of Investigators — Northern States Investigations & Security

About Northern States Investigations & Security, LLC

Investigations | Protection | Security

ABOUT US

NSIS brings together expertise in complex financial investigations, major case and special investigations, and executive protection and security operations. Our team has experience across federal and specialized investigative backgrounds, enabling us to handle matters ranging from financial fraud and litigation support to violent crime, missing persons, and high-risk situations. We work closely with attorneys, businesses, and private clients to uncover critical facts, develop clear findings, and deliver results with discretion, precision, and professionalism.

Our Team

Ken Fry

Founder & Partner

Ken Fry brings over 28 years of distinguished law enforcement and federal investigative experience to his role as Founder and Partner of Northern States Investigations & Security. His career is defined by a rare combination of complex criminal investigations, tactical operations, and high-level protection expertise.

Ken began his career as an Investigator with the City of Chicago Office of Inspector General, where he focused on public corruption and misconduct involving city employees and officials. His work included investigating bribery, fraud, ghost payroll schemes, and abuse of authority, establishing a strong foundation in complex case development and investigative strategy.

He later served 26 years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, including nearly 22 years with the IRS Criminal Investigation Division investigating a variety of financial crimes, including identity theft, tax fraud, Ponzi-schemes and money laundering. Throughout his federal career, Ken worked extensively on multi-agency task forces, including long-term assignments with the DEA and Violent Offender Task Forces. In these roles, he investigated large-scale narcotics operations, organized criminal activity, and associated money laundering networks, frequently supporting coordinated enforcement actions and high-risk operations.

Ken also served with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), where he investigated criminal misconduct involving federal employees, threats against government personnel, and other sensitive matters requiring discretion and precision. Ken brings a strong background and foundation in conducting interviews and interrogations, paired with extensive experience delivering clear, credible testimony in federal court proceedings.

In addition to his investigative background, Ken has extensive experience in tactical operations and training. For over two decades, he served as a Lead Instructor in firearms, defensive tactics, building entry, and active shooter response. He was responsible for developing and implementing training curriculum and operational protocols used by federal agents, while instructing personnel in high-risk entry techniques, use-of-force decision making, and active threat response.

Ken has planned and led numerous search and arrest warrant operations, working closely with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure the safety of law enforcement personnel and the public during high-risk operations. He has also coordinated armed escort and security details and supported protective assignments alongside the U.S. Secret Service, reinforcing his depth in both enforcement and protection operations.

Ken is a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting a long-standing commitment to discipline, control, and real-world defensive application.

As Founder and Partner of Northern States Investigations & Security, Ken provides leadership grounded in experience, precision, and accountability. His approach combines strategic investigative insight with real-world operational expertise, ensuring clients receive discreet, professional, and results-driven solutions in complex and high-stakes environments.

Contact Ken:

Email: ken.fry@nsis-mn.com

Chad Vetter

Partner

Chad Vetter is a seasoned financial crime investigator and former IRS–Criminal Investigation Special Agent with over 22 years of federal law enforcement experience, complemented by three years in private practice handling complex, high-stakes investigative matters.

During his tenure with IRS–CI, Chad led sophisticated investigations involving tax evasion, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, healthcare fraud, cyber-enabled financial crimes, and other complex white-collar offenses. His work focused on dissecting financial records, tracing illicit funds, and developing evidence used in federal prosecutions. He has testified in both grand jury proceedings and trial settings and is recognized for his ability to translate complex financial findings into clear, compelling narratives for attorneys and decision-makers.

Following his transition to private practice, Chad expanded his expertise beyond financial crimes into a broader range of investigative matters. He has worked cases involving cryptocurrency fraud, embezzlement, litigation support, criminal defense investigations, missing persons, homicide-related matters, and other complex civil and criminal cases requiring detailed analysis and strategic insight.

Chad brings a unique combination of forensic accounting expertise, investigative strategy, and real-world case experience. He is particularly skilled in reconstructing financial activity, analyzing transactional data, identifying inconsistencies, and developing actionable intelligence to support litigation, defense strategy, and case resolution.

As a Partner at Northern States Investigations & Security, Chad works closely with attorneys, businesses, and private clients to deliver discreet, results-driven investigations tailored to each matter. His approach is grounded in facts, supported by evidence, and focused on producing clear, defensible findings.

Contact Chad:

Email:chad.vetter@nsis-mn.com

Phone: (612) 703-8014

LinkedIn: Chad Vetter

Jerry Robertson

Partner

Jerry Robertson is a highly experienced law enforcement professional and investigator with more than two decades of service with the Bloomington Police Department, followed by continued work in Special Investigations Unit (SIU) matters and executive protection/security. His career reflects a deep commitment to public safety, investigative excellence, and real-world problem solving across some of the most serious and complex criminal cases.

Jerry served with the Bloomington Police Department from 1996 to 2018, beginning as a Patrol Officer and later advancing to Investigator within the Violent Crimes Unit. Over 14 years in that role, he handled a wide array of high-level investigations, including homicides, missing persons, criminal sexual conduct, aggravated assaults, and other major felony offenses. He developed a reputation for thorough case development, strong interview and interrogation skills, and a relentless pursuit of the truth in cases where outcomes mattered most.

In addition to his investigative work, Jerry served seven years as a SWAT Hostage Negotiator, operating in high-risk, high-pressure situations requiring critical decision-making, communication, and de-escalation. He also spent 19 years as a Background Investigator, conducting detailed pre-employment investigations, and six years as a Field Training Officer, mentoring and developing new officers in the field.

Since retiring from law enforcement, Jerry has continued to apply his expertise in the private sector through SIU-related work while also providing executive protection and security services. His work centers on risk mitigation, situational awareness, and ensuring the safety of individuals and organizations in dynamic environments.

Jerry brings a powerful combination of investigative experience, tactical awareness, and interpersonal skill. His ability to conduct effective interviews, assess credibility, manage sensitive and high-stakes situations, and develop actionable intelligence makes him a critical asset in both criminal and civil matters.

As a Partner at Northern States Investigations & Security, Jerry is committed to delivering professional, discreet, and results-driven investigative and security services. His mission is to uncover the facts, protect clients, and bring clarity to complex and often critical situations.