The Coalition for Mediation Awareness in Tennessee (CMAT) has announced it will present the 2014 Grayfield Gray Public Service in Mediation Award to Dr. Carol Berz of Chattanooga, Tennessee’s Private Dispute Resolution Services.  The award is designed to recognize those who make lasting contributions to mediation through public service.

Dr. Berz is being recognized for her work in establishing alternate dispute resolution in the State of Tennessee and for creating a mediation education program that is in use nationwide for training both new and experienced mediation professionals.  She also served as Chair on the Mediation portion of the Hamilton County Courts’ Pilot Project which established mediation provisions in Tennessee’s Parenting Plan Law.

The award is a prestigious mark of distinction reserved for mediators who further the discipline and practice of mediation as an alternative solution to litigation and a less damaging and aggressive way of resolving family disputes and other disagreements.  Dr. Berz released a statement saying she was honored to receive the award, but that “...  an award is not what's important here, what does matter is that folks in conflict have a method alternative to traditional court processes to settle their matters.”