Gene Roberts was announced as the recipient of the Susanne C. Adams Award at the 2023 Texas Association of Mediators (TAM) Annual Conference. The Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. (DRC-MC), where Gene is currently chair of the board, nominated him due to his enormous impact on alternative dispute resolution not only within the DRC-MC and Montgomery County but throughout the state of Texas.
The Adams Award was established to honor the late Susanne C. Adams, who was a visionary, leader and pioneer in the mediation field. This award is given to persons who have performed exceptional and outstanding efforts in promoting or furthering the use of mediation in Texas and is awarded only if there is a nominee, like Roberts, who meets its high standards.
During the award presentation, Roberts was recognized for his leadership in multiple mediation programs and organizations for nearly two decades, including for his service as a past chair of TAM and the State Bar of Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section. Widely recognized as an expert in the ADR field, it was noted that Gene Roberts has contributed to the field through his more than three dozen mediation-related presentations and publications since 2007.
Highly respected by his fellow mediators, nominators described Roberts as “altruistic, generous, kind, humble, dedicated and supportive.”
Jennifer Prather, former TAM president, and fellow DRC-MC board member, said, “Gene’s conflict resolution skills are a true testament to his faith, patience and persistence, all of which embody the spirit of this TAM award.”
As associate dean of students and director of Student Legal and Mediation Services at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), Roberts not only introduced students, faculty members, campus organizations and community members to the value of mediation, he also established Conflict Resolution Month. Each October, he and his staff present internationally recognized speakers and multiple conflict resolution activities that are open to SHSU faculty, students and the surrounding community.
It was also noted that Roberts has introduced scores of Texans to mediation as a preferred way to resolve disputes in Texas throughout his career. The award also recognized Roberts’ many contributions to the field of mediation, his fellow mediators and to peacemaking throughout Texas for the last two decades.
The Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, Inc. (DRC-MC) is a non-profit organization that provides and promotes affordable, high-quality dispute resolution services and training in the Montgomery County area. The DRC-MC has been helping people with difficult conversations since 1988. For additional information on DRC-MC programs and services, go to www.resolution-center.org or call (936) 760-6914.
