Founder

Al Tyas,

Founder and Chief
Retired Agent,

Active Consultant

Author of Last Call on the Potomac : True DC Metro Area Ghost Stories

Al Tyas founded DC Metro Area Ghostwatchers (DCMAG) in the spring of 2002. Prior to that he served as a key member of the Virginia Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society. He was a member of the VGHRS for two years until he and some experienced Washingtonians determined the DC Metro area needed a group that focused in and around the Beltway.

Ghosthunting Qualifications:

* Was personally trained by Bobbie Atristain of the VGHRS, and Keith Johnson, founder of The NEAR Foundation, on non-human entities, then received hands-on training in Ireland under the guidance of specialist Barry Fitzgerald.

* Participated and coordinated over 80 investigatons in the last four years including battlefields, taverns, offices, museums, historical homes and private residences, but no cemeteries.

*Honorary TAPS member for exceptional contribution, and one of the first groups to join the TAPS Family.

* Has travelled to several allegedly* haunted places world-wide including:

Stephen Decatur House, Washington DC (Officially investigated)

John Brown House, Sharpsburg, MD (officially investigated)

Ashford Castle, Ireland

Achill Island, Ireland

Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland (Private cottage)

Fore Abbey, Westmeath, Ireland

Belfast, Northern Ireland

Rose Hall Plantation, Jamaica

Portlick Castle, Mullingar Ireland (officially investigated)

Leap Castle, Ireland (officially investigated)

Ross Castle, Ireland (officially investigated)

Carlyle House, Alexandria, VA (officially investigated)

Old Town Theater, Alexandria, VA (officially investigated)

Montpelier, Charlottesvile, VA

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA

Point Lookout State Park and Lighthouse, MD

Farnsworth House,Gettysburg, PA

U.S. Capitol Building

LaLourlie House, New Orleans

Bottom of the Teacup, New Orleans

Le Petit Theater, New Orleans

Midway Plantation, Durham, North Carolina (officially investigated)

Judges' House, Salem, Mass

House of Seven Gables, Salem, MA

Desterham Plantation, Louisiana

The Breakers, Newport, RI

Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Mass.

Port Authority, New York City (there HAS to be ghosts there...)

*Please note: Visiting a haunted place is quite different from INVESTIGATING one. Al just posted these places to show he travels to many world-wide and cannot deem them haunted from a visit.

* Trained over fifty people in the basic fundamentals of investigations, ghost history, and equipment handling. Many of these people are still prominent members in groups throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

* Publicly spoke about ghosts and hauntings in several well known institutions, including the Rhine Research Center and Penn State.

* Has been featured in the Washington Times, Washington Post, Georgetowner, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Tribune, Virginia Pilot, The Grapevine and the Travel Channel to discuss modern day ghost investigation techniques.

* No longer drops the flashlight when he trips over an extention cord ;)
-(OK, he still does that sometimes).

Personal Credentials:

* Completed several psychology courses in college, including Human Development, Personality, Foundations of Psychological Research and Women's Psychology allowing the base to study parapsychology in relation to the paranormal (no US school officially has parapsychology as a formal degree program).

* Experienced and formally trained in historical research and the ability to research through archival documents including periodicals, books and film.

* 34 Years old

* Holds two top security clearances from the Legislative branch of the Federal Government where he is currently employed, and has been trusted to handle priceless museum artifacts and manuscripts.

* Possesses a Bachelor's in Medieval History with a minor in philosophy which provided a base for contemporary metaphysics as well as folklore.

*Attended courses in Latin, French, Spanish, and German, as well as Cyrillic and Greek phonetics, Though Spanish is his favorite.

*Is trained in evacuation in case of terrorist, HAZMAT or biological weapon attacks.

*Lobbied to U.S. Senators for more funding to go towards inner-city college prep programs.

*Proud supporter of Animal Allies, a local animal fostering care shelter in Fairfax Station, VA.

* Can flip a fried egg over without breaking the yolk.