Laurel Kaufer and Deborah Thomas, both of Los Angeles, CA, and Billy Brown and Carol Jones, both of Gulfport, MS, will manage the initial phases of the project , until such time as it is feasible to retain Project Manager(s) from local Gulf Coast communities.  Nationally recognized conflict resolution trainer, Melvin Rubin, and other noted trainers, have agreed to conduct training during the initial phases of the project, until the training responsibilities can be assumed by local resident trainers. 

Listed below are some of the many local and national conflict resolution professionals to whom the MMP owes a debt of gratitude for their contribution of professional services, guidance and facilities during the past year. 

• Lee Jay Berman, Los Angeles, CA. Mediator/Conflict Resolution Trainer (Bio: http://www.leejayberman.com/)

• Sarah Gartner, New York, NY.  Mediator/Arbitrator. (Bio:http://www.mediatorindex.com/) (MMP Trainer)

• David Hoffman, Boston, MA. (Bio: http://www.bostonlawcollaborative.com/people/attorneys/david-hoffman.html)

• Melvin A. Rubin, Miami, FL. Mediator/Conflict Resolution Trainer. (Bio:http://www.melrubin.com/) (MMP Trainer)

• Jim Stott, Gig Harbor, WA. Fellow and Adjunct Professor. Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law.  Former Commissioner, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Trainer in mediation and conflict resolution systems to organizations including Southwest Airlines, Los Angeles Fire Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice and Department of Labor.  Thirty years in airline industry as pilot, advocate, negotiator, mediator and arbitrator.  (MMP Program and Training Design/Student Externs/Mediator- in-Residence Week).

• Pamela Moring Stott, M.A., M.S., Gig Harbor, WA.  Principal and Senior Consultant, Stott and Associates, State Farm Insurance, Agent Liaison, responsible for statewide programs and product rollouts (1999 – 2004).  Visalia Police Department, first female police officer in the field focused on the economically deprived community, sexual assaults, property crimes, and community relations, represented the police department in numerous community based councils (1974-1985).  (MMP Organizational Design and local Law Enforcement/Insurance Co. Liaison)

• Stephen Thom, Los Angeles, CA.  Retired Federal Mediator and Deputy Director, Community Relations Service, United States Department of Justice; Former Director, Asian and Pacific American Concerns for the Undersecretary of Intergovernmental Affairs; Chief Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Education (Bio and contact information available upon request) (MMP Program and Training Design, Community Assessment and Outreach)

• A. Marco Turk, J.D., Los Angeles, CA. Program Director and Professor of Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding at California State University Dominguez Hills, CA, with international experience as a Fulbright Senior Scholar in Conflict Resolution (Cyprus) and as a peacebuilding consultant/educator/trainer in the Middle East, as well as in Nigeria, Norway and the United States. (Bio: http://www.cla.csudh.edu/dnp/negotiation_conflictresolution_peacebuilding/index.asp?wID=15) (MMP Program and Training Design/University Curriculum and student externs to project)

• Kathryn Turk, Los Angeles, CA.  LACBA Dispute Resolution Services, Community Services Program Coordinator (MMP Program and Training Design)