Department of Community Affairs mediators list [Apr. 2006]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS MEDIATORS LIST April 2006

Please note: This list is open to anyone who wishes to work as a mediator for interjurisdictional conflicts under the Georgia Planning Act. The information herein was provided by the applicants, and qualifications have not been verified by DCA. The department does not endorse or recommend mediators. Many qualified mediators may not be on this list. It is intended to provide a starting place for local governments seeking assistance with conflict or formal mediation.

Name:

James V. Burgess, Jr.

Company/Agency:

Burgess & Burgess, Arbitration-Mediation

Address:

PO Box 785 Social Circle, Georgia 30025

Phone:

(770) 464-3366

Typical Fees:

$150 per hour

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

A member of the Georgia Bar, holds a JD Degree from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law, a Master's Degree in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina.

In 1999, completed the Carl Vinson Institute's 40-hour training course on public policy mediation. Completed a 40-hour divorce mediation training course and a 16-hour advance divorce practicum with the Atlanta Divorce Mediators, Inc. and has completed continuing education training as required by the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

Has over 40 years of experience in the fields of local government, law and business. Has been a lobbyist at the Georgia State Legislature since 1963. Has served as a lobbyist for Fulton County and the City of Atlanta. Currently serves as a mediator and also provides legislative liaison for the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG) and the City of Savannah.

Previous experience: Instructor at the Institute of Law and Government and the Institute of Community and Area Development at the University of Georgia; Associate City Attorney for the City of Atlanta; and President of Public Research and Management, Inc.

Mediation Training:

Certified Neutral with the Georgia Supreme Court, offering a wide range of mediation services with a specialty in public policy issues.

Court mandated and private mediation experience includes cases ranging from domestic relations, eminent domain, contracts, personal injury to medical issues.

References:

Available upon request

Name:

T. E. Cauthorn

Company/Agency:

Court America

Address:

201 Cherokee St. Marietta, GA 30060

Phone:

(770) 528-0150

E-Mail:

TCauthorn@cauthornnohr.com

Typical Fees:

$325 per hour

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

A.B., Mercer University 1969; J.D., Mercer University, 1972; General Jurisdiction, National Judicial College, University of Nevada; Diploma of Judicial Skills, American Academy of Judicial Education.

Mediation Training:

State Bar of Georgia, CLE; JAMS/Endispute Mediation and arbitration experience since 1991.

References:

List of clients available

Name:

Wendell T. Dawson

Company/Agency:

Wendell T. Dawson, Attorney & Mediator

Address:

1551 Jennings Mill Road, Suite 1800B; Bogart, Georgia 30622

Phone:

706-559-7465

Email:

wtdaws@bellsouth.net

Typical Fees:

$120 per hour

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

BA/University Georgia, 1962; LLB, Massey Law College, Atlanta, 1969; Georgia Bar in 1970. General Civil Practice of Law in Oconee County as sole practitioner since July 1970. Positions: Vice-Chair, Oconee County Development Authority, 1996-2000; Chairman, Trustees ACCG-IRMA Insurance Pool, 1998-2000; Chairman, Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority, 1994-2000; Member, Board of Managers, Association County Commissioners of GA, 1996-2000; Chairman, Region 5 Advisory Council Georgia DCA & DITT, 1998-2000; Oconee County Commission Chairman, 1989-2000.

Mediation Training:

Mediation & Conflict Management Skills, 20 hours, Justice Center of Atlanta, Sept. 2000; Family Law Mediation, 40 hours; Decision Management Associates, Atlanta, Oct. 2000; Mediation Observation Training, Resolution Resources Corporation, Atlanta, Feb. 2001; Family Law Mediation Practicum, Atlanta Divorce Mediators, Inc., Atlanta, March 2001; Registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.

References:

Linda Horvath, ADR Coordinator, Alcovy, Northern & Western Circuits, Athens, GA (706-613-3210)

David Chesnut, Attorney, Doraville, Georgia (770-458-7606)

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Name:

Floyd C. Hale, Mediator & Lawyer

Company/Agency:

Floyd Hale Mediation Service

Address:

Burnt Mountain 930 Sunrise Ridge Jasper, Georgia 30143-2442

Phone:

(706) 265-1545/(706) 265-8730

E-Mail:

hale789@hotmail.com

Typical Fees:

$150 per hour, negotiable

Specialities:

Employment disputes, environmental disputes and other disputes between or among governments, agencies, departments, employees or citizens, especially disputes involving strong emotions or a large number of participants.

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

JD/University of Chicago Law School; AB/Economics Emory University; Justice Center Registered as a mediator and arbitrator with the Georgia Supreme Court.

Member of the American Arbitration Association and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia

Has served as a trainer of mediators for the American Arbitration Association and for the Resolution Resources Corporation in scores of courses offered by those organizations in California, Florida, Alabama and Georgia since 1991. Has received over 500 hours training in mediation and over 100 hours in arbitration.

Has mediated approximately 2,000 cases covering employment, contract, environmental, commercial, personal-injury, governmental, product-liability, divorce, securities, construction, stockholder, partnership and other cases.

References:

Dr. Margaret Herrman, The Herrman Group (706) 546-9113

Douglas H. Yarn, Esq., College of Law, Georgia State University (706) 769-4666

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees:

Dr. Margaret S. (Peggy) Herrman
The Herrman Group
400 Red Fox Run Athens, Georgia 30605
(706) 207-1490
mherrman@charter.net
Negotiable, but generally between $150 - $200 per hour, or $1,000 per day, including travel expenses

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Academic/Professional Ph.D., Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Emory University (concentration in conflict)

Mediation Training:

Has in excess of 350 hours of mediation training in the following areas: diversity, workplace disputes, deprivation, mediation mentoring/consulting, divorce, domestic violence, family, farmer lender and communication skills.

References:

Upon request. Also see www.herrmangroup.com

Name:

Judge S. Charles Murray

Company/Agency:

Murray Empowerment Systems

Address:

110 Stonington Drive Peachtree City, Georgia 30269

Phone:

(770) 631-7031

Email:

judgemurray77@yahoo.com

Typical Fees:

$150.00 per hour, plus expenses

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

U.S. Administrative Law Judge; Colonel, U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps (Ret); B.S. Florida State University, M.A. Webster University, J.D. Southern University Law School; Member of the State Bar of Georgia, Arkansas and Nebraska; Certified Neutral/Mediator by the Georgia Ofice of Dispute Resolution

Mediation Training:

Justice Center of Atlanta and The John Paul Jones Group

References:

Available, upon request

Name:

Mae Okwandu

Company/Agency:

Contract Mediator

Address:

818 Black Diamond Drive McDonough, Georgia 30253

Phone:

770-235-6049

Email:

Goodimae@bellsouth.net

Typical Fees:

$100 per hour/negotiable

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

Bachelor's Business Administration Consulting Mediator for Clayton County Magistrate Court, Cobb County Magistrate, Sixth Judicial District, Griffin, Georgia Pro Bono Mediator for United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Atlanta District Office Mediation Neutral with Supreme Court of Georgia, Registration #2691

Mediation Training:

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission training in Mediations 2004

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References:

Public Sector EEO and Employment Law Conference 2005 Alternative Dispute/Georgia District 2005 Alternative Dispute Resolution Minority Conference, Columbus, Ohio - 2005
Mustafa Aziz Administator, State Merit System, Atlanta, GA (404) 657-0378
Kathy Robinson Equal Employment Opportunity Specialist, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Civil Rights (404) 562-8291

Name:

Haskell S. Rhett III

Agency or Firm:

The Rhett Company

Address:

1710 Chestnut Street Wilmington, NC 28405

Phone:

(910) 362-8355

E-Mail:

hsr@ec.rr.com

Typical Fees:

$125 per hour, or daily rate of $800, plus expenses

Academic/Professional B.A. UNC-Wilmington, 1977

Qualifications:

M.P.A. College of Charleston/University of South Carolina, 1982

Mediation Training:

Trained facilitator/mediator, Interaction Associates, Boston, Massachusetts

References:

Available on Request

Name:

Adam R. Saslow

Company/Agency:

Consensus Solutions, Inc.

Address:

90 West Wieuca Road, NE, Suite 222 Atlanta, GA 30342

Phone:

(404) 531-9940

Typical Fees:

$150 per hour. Support staff offered at $85 per hour

Specialties:

Environmental Issues (Water Quality and Quantity, Air Quality, Brownfield and Waste Management), Transportation and Energy

Academic/Professional Masters in Public and Private Management, Yale University, 1991

Qualifications:

B.S., New York University, 1986

Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Affiliate;

Mediation Training:

Over 125 hours in Alternative Dispute Resolution Training

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References:

Ms. Toni A Dunagan, Day Wilburn Associates, 1718 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, (404) 249-7550
Donna Moffitt, Director of Coastal Management, North Carolina: Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Post Office Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611-7687, (919)733-.2293
Mr. Robert Benson, Director Sector Strategies Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, 401 M Street, SW Mail Code 1808, Washington DC 20460, (202)260-8668

Name:

Gregory C. Sowell

Company/Agency:

Sowell & Sandifer, P.C.

Address:

Post Office Box 7170 Tifton, Georgia 31793

Phone:

(229) 382-0037

E-Mail:

gsowell@tiftonlaw.com

Typical Fees:

$160 per hour pro rated between/among parties

Specialties:

Local government, contracts, land use and business disputes

Academic/Professional B.B.A. and J.D. University of Georgia

Qualifications:

Registered Mediator with Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution

Mediation Training:

Completed Mediation Training and Mediation Observation Final with Resolution Resources Corporation

Harvard law School Negotiation/Mediation Workshop: 40 hours

ICLE in Georgia

References:

John Leonard, South Georgia RDC (229) 333-5277

Charles H. Howell, Tifton City Manager (229) 391-3860

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail:

Reginald F. Williams Xepus Holdings, LLC Post Office Box 162461 Atlanta, Georgia 30321 (404) 217-0994/(678) 410-7463 Reginald_F_Williams@XepusHoldingsLLC.com
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Typical Fees:

$125 per hour

Specialties:

Domestic Relations, Conflict Skills and Management, Juvenile

Academic/Professional Qualifications:

B.B.A., Georgia Southern University, 1994 University of West Georgia (M.B.E. candidate) Kennesaw State University (M.S. in Conflict Management candidate) Registered Neutral with Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (General civil/domestic relations)

Mediation Training: References:

Conflict Management, Mediation Skills and Clinical Practicum through Justice Center of Atlanta
Domestic Relations Mediation/Advanced Practicum through Atlanta Divorce Mediators, Inc.
Juvenile Mediation Training/Advanced Domestic Violence Mediation Training through Georgia office of Dispute Resolution
Lawrence E. Harton, Jr., Home Again Mediation (678) 249-4215
Nancy Parkhouse, ADR Program Director (770) 477-4575

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROCESS MANAGERS:

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: Typical Fees:

Mike Alexander Atlanta Regional Commission 40 Courtland Street, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (404) 463-3100 None within ARC region

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees:

Andy Crosson Central Savannah River Area RDC 3023 Riverwatch Parkway, Suite A Augusta, Georgia 30907 (706) 210-2000. ext 107 acrosson@csrardc.org Determined on a case-by-case basis

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees:

Henry Booker Chattahoochee-Flint RDC P.O. Box 1600 13273 Georgia Highway 34 Franklin, Georgia 30217 (706) 675-6721 hbooker@cfrdc.org Expenses

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Academic/Professional Qualifications: Note:

Vernon D. Martin Coastal Georgia RDC P.O. Box 1917 Brunswick, Georgia 31520 (912) 264-7363, ext 206 vmartin@coastalgeorgiardc.org Expenses BS, Business Economics, Oklahoma State University MRLP, Masters Regional and City Planning, University of Oklahoma Will work outside the scope of RDC mediation contract

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Mediation Training:

David Howerin Coosa Valley RDC P.O. Box 1793 Rome, Georgia 30162-1793 (706) 295-6485 dhowerin@cvrdc.org Expenses Southeast Negotiation Network, 20 hours

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Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Academic/Professional Qualifications:

Alan R. Mazza Heart of Georgia Altamaha RDC 5405 Oak Street Eastman, Georgia 31023 (478) 374-4771 mazza@hogardc.org Expenses Bachelors Degree (Landscape Architecture)

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees:

Lanier E. Boatwright, Jr. McIntosh Trail RDC Post Office Box 818 Griffin, Georgia 30224 (770) 227-6300 lboatwright@cityofgriffin.com Expenses

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Academic/Professional Qualifications: Mediation Training:

Gerald F. Mixon Middle Flint RDC 228 West Lamar Street Americus, Georgia 31709 (229) 931-2909 gmixon@middleflintrdc.org Expenses University of Georgia, BA, History, 1974; University of Georgia, completed graduate course work in Public Administration, 1976 Southeast Negotiation Network, 20 hours

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Academic/Professional Qualifications: Mediation Training:

Ralph Nix Middle Georgia RDC 175-C Emery Highway Macon, Georgia 31217 (478) 751-6160 rnix@mgrdc.org Expenses BA/Psychology
Southeast Negotiation Network, 20 hours

Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Academic/Professional Qualifications: Mediation Training:

Larry E. Vanden Bosch North Georgia RDC 503 W. Waugh Street Dalton, Georgia 30720 (706) 272-2300 dceds@ngrdc.org Expenses MA/Urban and Regional Planning, Mankato State University, 1974; American Institute of Certified Planners 40 hours, Southeast Negotiation Network

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Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Mediation Training:
Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees:
Name: Company/Agency: Address:
Phone: E-Mail: Typical Fees: Note: References:

John L. Leonard South Georgia RDC P.O. Box 1223 Valdosta, Georgia 31603 (912) 333-5277 jleonard@sgrdc.com Expenses 20 hours: Southeast Negotiation Network
Lace Futch Southeast Georgia RDC 1725 South Georgia Parkway, West Waycross, Georgia 31503 (912) 285-6097 lfsegardc@accessatc.net Expenses
Dan Bollinger, Sr. Southwest Georgia RDC P.O. Box 346 Camilla, Georgia 31730 (229) 522-3552 dbollinger@swgrdc.org Variable Will work outside the scope of RDC mediation contract Glenda Battle, Decatur County Commission Ron Dudley, Stevenson & Palmer Engineers

Agency: Address: Phone:

DCA MEDIATION ASSISTANCE:
Planning and Environmental Management Division, Georgia Department of Community Affairs 60 Executive Park South, NE Atlanta, Georgia 30329-2231 (404) 679-5279

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