Douglas B. Spoors, President
(Williamsburg)
Doug Spoors is currently the EEO Education/ADR Manager for the Department of the Navy, Navy Exchange Service Command in Virginia Beach, Virginia, designing and providing EEO training and ADR services to over 14,000 civilian associates world-wide. He is also on the Adjunct Faculty of William and Mary Law School, teaching mediation.
He is an attorney, mediator, trainer, and the founder of the Institute for Mixed Method Mediation. He is the author of the book Mixed Method Mediation: A Hybrid Approach to Conflict Resolution, now in its 3rd Edition. He has mediated conflicts involving EEO complaints, workplace disputes, employment discrimination, wrongful termination, family law, consumer debt, landlord/tenant, and real estate. He is a member of the Mediators Beyond Borders International.
In March, 2019, he received the Ambassador for Peace in Conflict Resolution Award for his contribution in the field of mediation.
He received his J.D. and L.LM. in Transnational Business Practices from the McGeorge School of Law, the latter in conjunction with the University of Salzburg, Austria. He received his facilitative mediation training from the Loyola Law School/Los Angeles, a Certificate in Transformative Mediation from Dan Simon Mediation, a Certificate in Negotiation Mastery from Harvard Business School, a Certificate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from Harvard Law School, and a Certificate in Neuro Design Engineering from the Academy of Wealth and Achievement. He has most recently completed a Certificate program on Conflict, Rule of Law, and Local Security at the Hague Academy for Local Governance, the Netherlands.
He is also an international photographer. His library of works displays photos from throughout the United States and around the world.
Favorite Quote: It’s not about who is right or wrong, it’s about problem solving and finding meaningful solutions.
Next Favorite Quote: You are only as brilliant as your last stupid mistake.
Doug joined the VMN Board in 2021. He serves as President as of January 2024.
John C. Cook, President-Elect
(Fairfax)
John C. Cook obtained his Virginia General District Court mediator certification in 2021. He formerly served as a mediator with the Multi-Door Division of the District of Columbia Superior Court from 2001 to 2013. His first mediation as a solo mediator on September 11, 2001, was interrupted when the courthouse was evacuated during the 9-11 attacks. He is the founding partner of Cook Craig & Francuzenko, PLLC, a Fairfax full-service law firm established in 2007. Mr. Cook’s practice emphasizes the representation of executives, employees, and small businesses in employment law matters. Mr. Cook is a past chair and co-chair of the Fairfax Bar Association’s Employment Law Section (2003-04, 2020-21) and is a former member of the Section Council for the Virginia Bar Association’s Labor and Employment Law Section (2009-14). He is a former motions conciliator with the Fairfax County Circuit Court. He is a frequent presenter of continuing legal education programs and has been named a Virginia SuperLawyer® over a dozen times. Mr. Cook is a former member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (2009-2019). He currently serves the community as the Chair of the Fairfax County Diversion First Stakeholders’ Group. He is a member (and former Chair) of the Fairfax County Council to End Domestic Violence, where he chairs the Accountability Workgroup. He is a member of the Board of Directors for Celebrate Fairfax, Inc. Mr. Cook is a 1988 graduate of the George Washington University Law School. Born in upstate New York, he is a 1985 graduate of Gettysburg College, where he majored in political science and was named to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
John joined the VMN Board of Directors in 2022. He is President-Elect as of February 2024, and he co-chairs the Bylaws/Legislative Committee and serves on the Outreach Committee.
Dr. Pamela K. Struss, Past-President
(Petersburg)
Pamela K Struss, PhD, Past President of VMN, considers herself to be a pracademic, she: teaches, researches, and writes. Dr. Struss is on faculty for the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution since 2012. Her latest endeavor is founding the Greater Richmond Community Mediation Center serving the greater Richmond region. Dr. Struss is certified for mediation in the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and has completed the education for both Circuit Courts: Civil and Family.
VMN’s members reside in a special place in her heart. Mediators and ADR practitioners are caretakers, compassionate professionals dedicated to making their world a better place. She demonstrates her dedication to the members by is Chairing and collaborating with the Conference Committee. It has been her pleasure to help create a wonderful and educational experience at the Fall Conferences.
On a lighter note, her goal is to return to the Galapagos Islands and hold mediation sessions between the turtles and sea lions; there are territorial disputes.
Pam has served on the VMN board since 2018, and served two terms as President, from 2020-2022. She chairs the Nominating and Conference Planning committees, and the Scholars & Young Professionals Sector.
Kristen Manos Kalina, Secretary
(Leesburg)
Kristen is a Partner at the law firm of Schwartz Kalina, PLLC in Leesburg, Virginia, as well as owner and principal at KMK Mediation Group, LLC, also located in Leesburg. In addition to a thriving law practice, Kristen has built a mediation practice where she does all areas of family law cases, as well as JDRDC custody, visitation and support mediations in Clarke and Frederick County and Winchester city.
Kristen has a Bachelors degree from The Ohio State University in Political Science ('89) and a Juris Doctor from Capital University Law School ('92), where she was a member of the Law Review. Kristen has done in excess of 200 mediations, public and private combined and is certified by the Virginia Supreme Court to mediate Circuit Court Family cases, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court cases and General District Court cases. Kristen is also Supreme Court certified Mediator Mentor. Kristen serves as Chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Elections, appointed by the 20th Judicial Circuit Court for 3 consecutive terms. Kristen is married with 2 daughters, 3 dogs and 2 horses and lives in Hamilton, Virginia.
Kristen is in her third term on the VMN Board where she has served since 2019, and she became Secretary in 2022. She also serves on the Conference Planning and Communications committees.
Robert N. Carpenter, Treasurer(Winchester)
Robert N (Bob) Carpenter has been a mediator since 2009. Currently Bob serves as the mediation coordinator for Winchester/Frederick County General District court. Prior to his mediation experience, Bob served 39 years in the Farm Credit System financing agricultural properties and their operations, as well as rural housing financing. He was CEO for 34 years at Valley Farm Credit headquartered in Winchester. He operated for 36 years, as the third generation, the family beef cattle farm until 2018. He is a graduate of Virginia Tech; and has two daughters and three grandchildren. Bob rejoined the board in 2024 and is serving his third term as treasurer for VMN. |
Brandon Bastian
(Warrenton)
Brandon Bastian is the Executive Director of Piedmont Peace Center, serving courts and communities in 9 counties in Virginia, and previously spent 10 years as the Mediation Services Director for the Prince William County Office of Dispute Resolution, overseeing the county's GDC and JDR mediation programs and the restorative justice program. Brandon is a certified GDC and JDR mediator and mentor. Brandon is a big fan of failing forward--learning from and moving past the things that don't work in order to cultivate and develop the things that do.
Brandon joined the VMN Board of Directors in 2024. He serves on the Conference Planning Committee.
Joseph Boisineau
(Midlothian)
Joseph Boisineau has 28 years of experience as a mediator, arbitrator, and ombudsman. He was certified as a mediator and mediator mentor by the Supreme Court of Virginia and has served in that capacity for the past 28 years. His experience also includes the following: Dispute Resolution Specialist / Investigator Unit Manager, Commonwealth of Virginia, Office of Consumer Affairs; Mediated, Arbitrated, Conciliated over 10,000 cases; Over 600 hours of Mediation, Arbitration, Negotiation, Ombudsman, and Investigation training; and, 35 years of experience in private Industry. He was educated at the University of Detroit, Henry Ford College, University of Michigan, Merchandising and Management Institute, J Sargent Reynolds Community College. He also attended The Office of Public Policy Training, The Center for Public Policy, L. Douglas Wilder School of Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University. He has served previously on the Virginia Mediation Network Board of Directors as Vice President. He has also served on the Commonwealth Catholic Charities Board of Directors as Treasurer, Vice President, President, Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the Board Development and Governance Committee, and on the Commonwealth Catholic Charities Housing Corporation as Vice Chairman.
He has served on the VMN Board of Directors since 2023. He serves as the Outreach Committee Chair.
Lisa Brook(Charlottesville)
Meaningful connection with clients, co-workers, judges, clerks, and attorneys on both sides of the aisle has defined Lisa's career. She held the hand of a mesothelioma victim struggling to breathe as she explained how his family would be taken care of after his death. She witnessed the stories of people in debt and tenants who could not make the rent as they explored ways to move forward after legal proceedings. She discovered kinship with jurors performing their civic duty to balance the scales of justice in trial. As a leader in the bar and in the community, Lisa's goal Is to bring connection, collaboration and respect to every level of dispute resolution. In the words of Helen Keller, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Lisa has received a Certificate In Mediating Disputes from the Harvard Law School Executive Education Program on Negotiation. She has training in mediation and dispute resolution through the Supreme Court of Virginia certification program. She has been a member of VMN since September 2022. Lisa has served on the board since 2023, and formerly chaired the Webinars Committee. She also serves on the Conference Planning Committee. |
Lisa Brook is a lawyer who has dedicated nearly thirty years in the law to civil dispute resolution with empathy and understanding. The vision for her business, Good Counsel Group, grew out of a desire to create opportunities for people and businesses to work through conflict together.Steven M. Garver(Reston)
In 1979, Mr. Garver became one of the first attorney mediators handling divorce cases. He was self-taught and driven to the field by what he saw as unnecessary expense – emotionally and financially – in the divorce process. He has more recently studied at the Harvard Mediation and Negotiation project to expand his skills as a mediator, and is now doing divorce mediation through Divorce Mediation Associates, Ltd. His diverse legal background gives him a special advantage in understanding many of the legal issues faced by families in this complex world. He has trained at Harvard Law School over two summers, Northwestern University and participated in other continuing education programs. He is an adjunct professor for George Mason University Law School teaching classes including a course in negotiation. Mr. Garver is a certified mediator by the Supreme Court. Steven joined the VMN Board of Directors in 2022. He co-chairs the Bylaws/Legislative Committee. |
Steven M. Garver is an accomplished trial attorney and divorce mediator. He moved to Reston, Virginia in 1974 with his family, and has developed a diverse legal practice, with litigation experience in personal injury, medical malpractice, civil rights actions, domestic relations, and criminal cases. He also has significant experience in corporate, business and transactional work. Mr. Garver has tried to verdict personal injury cases, medical malpractice cases, felonies and business litigation. He has also tried numerous domestic relations matters.Kimberly Jackson Davidson(Fairfax)
Davidson’s primary practices rest on the foundations of social justice mediation, conflict management coaching, reflective structured dialogue, and nonviolent communication, among other strategies. Her experience includes studies in conflict transformation and interpersonal communication modalities. Davidson is active within the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and has been a member of the Virginia Mediation Network (VMN) since June 2022. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Spelman College and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in African Literature. Kimberly joined the VMN Board in 2023, and she chairs the Community Engagement Committee. |
Kimberly Jackson Davidson was appointed in the spring of 2023 to launch a new Office of the University Ombudsperson at George Mason University (Mason). (Her appointment followed five years without an ombuds presence at Mason.) Before working at Mason, Davidson spent two decades at Oberlin College in Ohio, first as a visiting lecturer and then sixteen years in progressively responsible positions in the Office of the Dean of Students. For fifteen years, Davidson Served as a volunteer mediator through the Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue (YBCD). During her final five and a half years there, she served all campus constituencies as an Ombudsperson and Director of the YBCD.Kimberly Kyle(Henrico)  Kyle is a human resource professional, currently working with the City of Richmond local government serving the City Council and the Council portfolio of offices. She has provided dispute resolution services for the City of Richmond, the Virginia Department of Human Resources, and her private practice, Optimum Resolutions, LLC. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland University College, a Certificate in Negotiation and Leadership from Harvard School of Law Program on Negotiation, designation of Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resource Management, and is a graduate of the Grace E. Harris Commonwealth Management Institute of Virginia Commonwealth University. Kimberly is certified as a General District Court mediator by the Virginia Supreme Court and is a volunteer mediator with the Greater Richmond Community Mediation Center. Kimberly joined the Virginia Mediation Network Board of Directors in March of 2025 as an Interim Director and chairs the Membership Committee. |
Charles "Chips" Lickson
(Front Royal)
Charles P. Lickson, (President – Founder of predecessor company Mediate-Tech/MtI Group and Co-Founder of CMC - the Company), lawyer, professor, entrepreneur. Charles Lickson is also a successful writer, mediator and facilitator. His many articles in lay and legal publications and nine books have received international attention. His books have sold well in English speaking nations. One of Lickson’s best known books: IRONING IT OUT: SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO RESOLVING CONFLICT has been translated into Russian and Italian for sale in those markets. A new edition of Ironing It Out (was published in 2020)..
Lickson is a Fellow Emeritus and Co-Founder of the International Academy of Mediators. He has trained hundreds of people in mediation in the U.S., Canada and Europe. He was an early certified mediator under rules of the Supreme Court of Virginia. Lickson has been involved as lawyer, mediator or facilitator in the resolution of over 500 cases. Lickson is a co-founder and Fellow Emeritus of the International Academy of Mediators. He has served as mediator in person, by telephone and via Zoom communications. He received his traditional education (BA) at Johns Hopkins University and his JD from Georgetown Law.
Lickson has been lead trainer for Federal, State and Local government organizations and agencies including The U.S. State Department, the Department of Army, the Department of Navy, the Attorney General’s Office, Virginia, the City of Winchester, VA, the Albemarle County (VA) Police Department, private corporations include DuPont and many individuals in conflict.
Lickson is a former officer in the U. S. Army, Before entering the Army, Lickson was a Federal Judge’s Law Clerk in Washington, D.C. He also holds in a non-traditional Ph.D. in counseling His thesis: “Internal versus external manifestations of conflict.”
Charles Lickson is a Senior Neutral (Mediator, Arbitrator, Facilitator) Lead Trainer and major conflict resolution resource for the Company.
Chips joined the VMN Board in 2024. He serves on the Outreach Committee.
Julie Minde
(Fairfax)
Dr. Julie Minde received her PhD in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University’s Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution and an MS in geographic and cartographic sciences, also from GMU. She served as a postdoctoral research associate on environmental collaboration and conflict resolution, co-sponsored by the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy (University of Arizona) and the National Center for Environmental Conflict Resolution. She is a certified mediator in the Virginia General District Court. As a full-time civil servant, Julie serves as a social science analyst at a federal agency. She is very interested in seeing VMN develop in the area of environmental collaboration and conflict resolution.
Julie joined the VMN Board of Directors in 2024. She chairs the Communications Committee.
Daniel P. Wassink, Special Advisor(Richmond)
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Dan is the Dispute Resolution Services (DRS) Manager in the Office of the Executive Secretary’s Department of Judicial Services. DRS staff oversee and support the work of dispute resolution service providers, and promote the use of mediation and other DR services in Virginia. Before relocating to Richmond, Dan filled several roles with the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, including Manager of the Institute’s Community Mediation Center (CMC). He mediated many types of conflicts, with a focus on court-referred custody and visitation cases, and coordinated CMC’s unique Dispute Resolution Triage Program for divorcing and separating parents. Dan also taught and coordinated the Center’s various educational classes for divorcing and separating parents, served as a co-trainer for the Institute, and was a Restorative Justice practitioner. He also served in all three branches of Wisconsin state government, including as a Senior Policy Analyst with the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and holds a Master in Dispute Resolution degree from Marquette University.
The Virginia Mediation Network is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.
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