Contact: Sharon Pickett (301-365-9307)

Santa Fe Mediator Becomes President of International Nonprofit Organization

Rosemary Romero, a native New Mexican and lifelong resident of Santa Fe, assumed the title of President of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) at ACR's Third Annual Conference, October 15-18, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. ACR is an international nonprofit organization representing more than 6,000 members across the U.S. and around the world. Ms. Romero served as President-Elect of ACR this past year and replaced Nancy E. Peace, ACR's second President.

Ms. Romero is a well-known mediator in New Mexico and has facilitated the resolution of a wide range of public policy and environmental disputes. Her expertise is in water and natural resource conflicts in the west and public involvement in those conflicts. She began working as a mediator in the 1980s through her involvement with the Western Network, a nonprofit organization founded by John Folk-Williams and Lucy Moore, both respected practitioners in the field of environmental public policy and dispute resolution.

Over the years, she gained extensive experience and training in mediation, negotiation, cross-cultural communication, facilitation and strategic planning. As a Hispanic woman, she worked to create a vibrant and diverse organization and offered similar opportunities to other minority individuals who wanted to learn more about the field through internships and mentoring. Eventually, she became one of the partners of the Western Network and then President of the organization. The Western Network has since evolved to become the Public Decisions Network (PDN). With colleagues from around the country, PDN associates continue the mission of addressing natural resources issues through collaborative processes.

Ms. Romero has risen to national prominence in the field of conflict resolution and will now lead the Association for Conflict Resolution, the nation's largest association of mediators, arbitrators, educators and other conflict resolution professionals. ACR is a professional organization dedicated to enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution. By applying the principles of conflict resolution, and by teaching these values and skills to others, ACR members are transforming the ways that people think about and resolve their differences.

To arrange an interview or obtain a photo of Ms. Romero, please call Sharon Pickett at 301-365-9307.

10/02/2003