About CCMA
Communication and Conflict Management Associates (CCMA) was founded by the former Director and Associate Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, Dr. Charlene Berquist and Heather Blades.
CCMA offers outstanding virtual mediation training, as well as on-request training in Family Group Conferencing, Restorative Justice, and more. CCMA also specializes in organizational conflict assessment and intervention.
Our Associates make the difference and set CCMA apart from the providers of other trainings and services. CCMA's Associates support our training offerings, offer coaching at mediation trainings, and provide intervention support. Many also offer customized workshops and presentations. Learn more about them below, or contact CCMA for more information.
CCMA offers outstanding virtual mediation training, as well as on-request training in Family Group Conferencing, Restorative Justice, and more. CCMA also specializes in organizational conflict assessment and intervention.
Our Associates make the difference and set CCMA apart from the providers of other trainings and services. CCMA's Associates support our training offerings, offer coaching at mediation trainings, and provide intervention support. Many also offer customized workshops and presentations. Learn more about them below, or contact CCMA for more information.
Location and Virtual Events
CCMA is centered in Springfield, MO, and our associates are located throughout the United States. Together we offer outstanding virtual trainings and conflict management services. However, if you are interested in a face-to-face event or service, please email us. We have an extensive referral network that includes our associates as well as other conflict professionals, and we'd love to connect you with someone who can meet your needs.
CCMA's Founders
Charlene "Char" Berquist, PhD
Emeritus Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution and Emeritus Professor, Department of Communication, Missouri State University
Char has over 30 years of experience as a mediator, trainer, facilitator, and conflict coach. For nearly 25 years she served as the Director of of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, where she regularly led trainings and supported community programs in mediation, victim-offender dialogue, family group conferencing, and more. Char leads the trainings offered by CCMA. View her vitae here.
Emeritus Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution and Emeritus Professor, Department of Communication, Missouri State University
Char has over 30 years of experience as a mediator, trainer, facilitator, and conflict coach. For nearly 25 years she served as the Director of of the Center for Dispute Resolution at Missouri State University, where she regularly led trainings and supported community programs in mediation, victim-offender dialogue, family group conferencing, and more. Char leads the trainings offered by CCMA. View her vitae here.
Heather Blades, MA
Former Asc. Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution , Missouri State University
Heather served as the Associate Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution for 15 years. She holds a master's degree in professional writing and a graduate certificate in conflict and dispute resolution. Heather is an experienced facilitator, trainer, mediator, and conflict coach. Together with Char she has extensive experience offering highly interactive virtual trainings in mediation and conflict management. Heather provides technical support for the CCMA's trainings. View her vitae here.
Former Asc. Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution , Missouri State University
Heather served as the Associate Director of the Center for Dispute Resolution for 15 years. She holds a master's degree in professional writing and a graduate certificate in conflict and dispute resolution. Heather is an experienced facilitator, trainer, mediator, and conflict coach. Together with Char she has extensive experience offering highly interactive virtual trainings in mediation and conflict management. Heather provides technical support for the CCMA's trainings. View her vitae here.
CCMA's Associates
Teri Hargrave, EdD
Teri is the Director of the Clay County (MO) Office of Dispute Resolution and Family Court Programs. An experienced family mediator, Teri holds and EdD in Organizational Leadership and Conflict Management. Learn more here.
Charlotte "Charlie" Jennings
Charlie is an experienced mediator and parent coordinator, and she has taught courses in mediation and conflict management for the Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University for many years. She specializes in working with high-conflict co-parents and in cases where domestic/interpersonal violence is a concern.
Melissa Maier, PhD
Melissa is an Associate Professor of Communication at Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Minneapolis. She is an experienced mediator who also does training and consulting in conflict management and teaches conflict management courses at MSU. Learn more here.
Jim Meyer, PhD
Jim is an Emeritus Professor of Childhood Education and Family Studies at Missouri State University. An experienced mediator and trainer, Jim has worked extensively with high-conflict parents and their children. Learn more here.
Brad Palmore
Brad is a Domestic Relations Officer with the Greene County Family Court (MO). He is working towards a PhD in Conflict Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Brad is an experienced family and community mediator. Learn more here.
Cynthia Speckman
Cynthia is an experienced mediator and peacemaker who has taught for years in the the Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University.
Mary Turner, MSW, LCSW, CCDP-D
Mary is the Executive Director of Family Therapy of the Ozarks. An experienced family mediator, social worker, and counselor, Mary has over 30 years of experience serving at-risk populations. Learn more here.
Teri is the Director of the Clay County (MO) Office of Dispute Resolution and Family Court Programs. An experienced family mediator, Teri holds and EdD in Organizational Leadership and Conflict Management. Learn more here.
Charlotte "Charlie" Jennings
Charlie is an experienced mediator and parent coordinator, and she has taught courses in mediation and conflict management for the Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University for many years. She specializes in working with high-conflict co-parents and in cases where domestic/interpersonal violence is a concern.
Melissa Maier, PhD
Melissa is an Associate Professor of Communication at Metropolitan State University (MSU) in Minneapolis. She is an experienced mediator who also does training and consulting in conflict management and teaches conflict management courses at MSU. Learn more here.
Jim Meyer, PhD
Jim is an Emeritus Professor of Childhood Education and Family Studies at Missouri State University. An experienced mediator and trainer, Jim has worked extensively with high-conflict parents and their children. Learn more here.
Brad Palmore
Brad is a Domestic Relations Officer with the Greene County Family Court (MO). He is working towards a PhD in Conflict Analysis from Nova Southeastern University. Brad is an experienced family and community mediator. Learn more here.
Cynthia Speckman
Cynthia is an experienced mediator and peacemaker who has taught for years in the the Conflict Certificate programs at Missouri State University.
Mary Turner, MSW, LCSW, CCDP-D
Mary is the Executive Director of Family Therapy of the Ozarks. An experienced family mediator, social worker, and counselor, Mary has over 30 years of experience serving at-risk populations. Learn more here.
