The Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire – a local 501©3 nonprofit committed to conflict resolution, de-escalation and fostering community health – is pleased to announce a new slate of officers for the organization’s Board of Directors and to welcome new board member Wade Herring.

The elected officers for The Mediation Center’s Board of Directors for 2024 include:

• President - David Purvis
• Vice President - Tramayne Young
• Treasurer - Heather Peloquin
• Secretary - Denethris Barnes

Additional board members include youth mentor Ni’Aisha Banks, Pastor Marsha Buford, attorney Stephanie Burgess, Savannah Police Department Chief Lenny Gunther, Savannah Chatham-County Public School System Legal Compliance Officer Doreen Oliver, City of Savannah Alderman Nick Palumbo, community activist Curtis Singleton and volunteer mediator Ruby Weitzell.

In addition, Savannah attorney Wade Herring recently joined The Mediation Center’s Board of Directors. Herring is a longtime partner at HunterMaclean, where he has worked since 1985. His law practice focuses on employment law, helping employers of all sizes in the public and private sectors.

Throughout his career, Herring has been an active volunteer, involved in a variety of professional and community activities. He is a past president of the Savannah Bar Association and the Rotary Club of Savannah East and has chaired the Board of Trustees at Savannah Country Day School and Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church. Originally from Macon, Ga., Herring received his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Dartmouth College and his law degree, cum laude, from the University of Georgia. 

The Mediation Center helps individuals or groups resolve conflicts using a neutral mediator who helps keep the focus on reaching workable agreements. Unlike court proceedings, mediation is confidential and scheduled at the convenience of the parties involved. Parties also maintain control of the solution including the nature and scope of their agreements. Over the last 36 years, the Mediation Center has trained more than 500 volunteer mediators, conducted 10,000+ mediations and facilitated over 7,000 settlements.