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Conflict Management Prevention Center - Meet Your Team


Linda Burroughs-Glover
National Conflict Management and Prevention Program Branch Chief
Linda.Glover@usda.gov 
202-205-1062

Linda Burroughs-Glover is the Branch Chief of the Conflict Management and Prevention Center. Prior to her current role, Linda served as an Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist and Washington Office CMPC Manager with the Forest Service’s Conflict Management and Prevention Center for 20 years. She has worked within the dispute resolution community since 1998, working to resolve cases in all areas of redress, using a myriad of ADR techniques to include mediation, facilitation, coaching, and training. Linda first started her federal career in 1988 with the National Weather Service where she worked for 14 years. She won the Department of Commerce Bronze Award in 1999 and 2002 for her facilitation efforts within NOAA.

Linda is a certified mediator; she received her mediation certification from the Justice Center of Atlanta. She is also a certified practitioner of the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, Boss Whispering, DISC+ Values, True Colors, EQi, the Conflict Dynamics Profile, as well as various other training instruments and diagnostic tools. Linda graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Behavioral Science.

Linda loves working within her community to support others, especially those who have suffered trauma. Her biggest love is her family and spending time with them where they live in northern Virginia.


Martin Gutierrez
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Albuquerque Service Center
Martin.M.Gutierrez@usda.gov 
530-260-6973

Martin has built a 25-year career in three areas: private sector (computer technology, media, and entertainment); elected politics (presidential, congressional, state-wide); and public sector (civil rights, labor law, conflict management, and wildland fire). This unique blend has afforded him an eclectic amalgam of what drives high performing individuals and teams amidst high-pressure profit-driven advertising campaigns, zero sum political elections, and employee work environment challenges as well as managing personalities during a natural crisis.

Martin merges his work experience with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and graduate degree in Public Administration. The focus of Martin’s education was to explore the tools, resources, and approaches of shaping global peace by mitigating human conflict. He is a certified federal mediator conducting work-place mediations, equal employment opportunity mediations, group facilitated meetings, coaching employees to success, and bringing conciliation to conflicted groups. During the wildland fire season, he also serves as a human resources specialist, helping incident commanders in managing the operational stress of our most valued resources: wildland firefighters. During his free time, Martin enjoys trail running with his dogs, bicycling, hiking, observing the night sky, exploring petroglyphs and historic sites, gardening, cooking, reading several novels at once, and all forms of art.


Jessica R. Simpson
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Job Corps Civilian Conservation
Jessica.Simpson@usda.gov 
720-471-0072

Jessica R. Simpson is a Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager with the USDA Forest Service, Work Environment and Performance Office, Conflict Management and Prevention Center. She specializes in helping organizations identify systemic barriers, maintaining ethics and compliance, resolving conflicts, and improving emotional intelligence in the workplace.

Jessica enlisted in the Air Force in June of 2000 out of Sumter, SC. She initially joined the Air Force as an Information Manager and held several positions within the career field. In 2013, Jessica attended and graduated from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute as an Equal Opportunity Advisor. From 2013 to 2017, she held the positions of Superintendent, Equal Opportunity and Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager at Shaw Air Force Base. Her last assignment culminated as Director, Equal Opportunity and Alternative Dispute Resolution Manager at Buckley Space Force Base where she oversaw equal opportunity operations for over 15,000 military and civilian members. She retired with 20 years of military experience in July of 2020.

Some of Jessica’s interests include reading, being a sports mom, and volunteering. She received her B.A. in Psychology and is currently pursuing her master’s degree. She holds certificates in basic and advanced mediation, is a certified project officer, and is a certified EQ-I 2.0/360 coach. Jessica lives in Denver, CO, with her husband, Arthur, and three children.


Dave Hipp
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
WO, LE&I, ENT & IIFF
David.Hipp@usda.gov 
435-503-0803

Dave Hipp serves as the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Specialist, Conflict Management and Prevention Center (CMPC) manager for Region 4. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Program Manager for the United States Air Force, Ombudsman Program, a member of the U.S. House of representatives as Constituent Liaison for Congressman Rob Bishop, and served 23 years active military with the USAF; serving in two combat tours in Iraq. Dave has been a federal mediator since 1996 for the USAF and worked as a mediator in all Utah State Court Districts.

A native of Long Beach, California, Dave has amassed more than 38 years federal service. Dave has a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational psychology, magna cum laude, and a Master of Science degree in business from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. His thesis was on alternative dispute resolution in the public sector, and his life focus has been helping individuals and organizations resolve conflict and find solutions.


Karen White 
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 1
Karen.White@usda.gov

Karen White is a graduate of California State University and has a degree in Advanced Mediation from the Justice Center of Atlanta. She served in the Alternative Dispute Resolution field for over 20 years as an associate ombuds, mediator, facilitator, and arbitrator. Her experience covers the federal government, private industry, churches, the public school system, and tribal government matters.


Lorraine Armijo-Garcia
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 2, RMRS
Lorraine.Armijo-Garcia@usda.gov 
720-501-8069

Since 2020, Lorraine has served as the CMPC Program Manager for Region 2, the Rocky Mountain Research Station, and is currently acting for Region 1. She joined the DOD federal workforce in 1995. Soon after, she obtained Federal Mediator and Equal Employment Opportunity Certifications. Aspiring to serve the workforce and military community on a larger scale, she attained DOD certifications to collaterally serve the agency as a Special Emphasis Program Manager, Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Program Manager, Victim Advocate, Domestic Abuse Prevention Officer, Reasonable Accommodation Manager, and Suicide Prevention Officer. Lorraine held the following positions in her tenure with DOD: Health Systems Officer, Management and Program Analyst, Program Manager, Strategic Officer, and EEO Officer. She earned various Private and Federal Professional Certifications in the areas of: Quality/Organizational Excellence and Analytics, Civil Rights, Acquisition, Logistics, Engineering, Program and Data Management, Health Systems, and communication-centric assessments/tools. Collectively creating a systems perspective to conflict mitigation approaches.

Lorraine lives in Centennial, CO, with her husband and five children (which includes three furry ones). She is a certified esthetician and is excited to welcome the newest CMPC family members!


Laura Cabanas-Bustamante
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 3
Laura.Cabanas-Bustamante@usda.gov 
970-219-8401

Laura Cabanas-Bustamante is the Forest Service Southwestern Region Conflict Management and Prevention Center manager and the Southwestern Regional Human Resources Specialist for a Type I fire team. Her professional experience and background are in Human Resources, Civil Rights, and Alternative Dispute Resolution. She gained her experience working in municipalities, academia, and various agencies in the federal government, including the USDA Forest Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Army, and the Bureau of Land Management. She provides a full realm of ADR services, including consultations, conflict coaching, conflict management trainings, facilitations, mediations, surveys, and teambuilding and administers diagnostic communication, personality, and behavior style assessments, (e.g., DISC+ Values, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Emotional Quotient-Intelligence, True Colors, etc.), and Boss Whispering executive coaching, for increased individual self-awareness and to aide in conflict resolution.

She spends time with her husband, her two teenage sons, two Chorkies, and exploring and traveling in their RV. She enjoys baking, going to the movies, dancing, reading, long walks, and attending car shows, where they enter their 1969 C-10 show truck.


Mario Melendez
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 4
Mario.Melendez2@usda.gov 
559-939-3468

Prior to joining the Forest Service, Mario worked for the Department of Defense (Investigations and Resolutions Directorate), as an EO Investigator. Before joining the DOD, he worked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for thirteen years as an Investigator, Systemic Investigator, Intake Supervisor (detail), and ADR Mediator, having mediated hundreds of cases involving statutes enforced by the Commission. Mario has a master’s degree from Pepperdine University in Conflict Resolution. Additionally, Mario has worked as a volunteer Ombuds/Mediator for the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve helping military service members/reservists and their respective employers resolve USERRA related disputes.

Mario is married with two school age children, a dog named Chloe, and the most recent addition to the family is a guinea pig named Evi. He also practiced jiu-jitsu and was an avid golfer, albeit not a good one. He enjoys the comradery more than the sport itself. Nowadays he lives vicariously through his son who wrestles at the youth level. Mario’s motto is, "helping people be in a better place than they were before they came to me/us for assistance."


Markette Murphy
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 5
markette.murphy@usda.gov 
707-853-6191

Markette Murphy is the servicing CMPC Manager for the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) and the Pacific Southwest Research Station covering California, Hawaii, and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. She is also the Acting CMPC Manager for Region 6 and the Pacific Northwest Research Station. She has 39 years of civilian service accumulated across three federal agencies. She worked 12 years with the U.S. Navy; six with the U.S. Air Force; and 21 years with the USDA Forest Service. She has held positions as a: Discrimination Complaints Counselor, Complaint Processing Manager, Employee/Labor Relations Specialist, Misconduct Investigation Program Manager, and Settlement Agreement Liaison. She also served as the Region 5 Sexual Harassment Inquiry Coordinator, Labor and Employee Relations Branch Chief, and Deputy Director of Civil Rights.

Ms. Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. She is an experienced trainer, a seasoned and certified facilitator and mediator, and she is also certified in multiple behavioral assessment instruments.


Rahwa Woldeyesus
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 6, PNWRS
Rahwa.Woldeyesus@usda.gov 
970-652-5917

Rahwa Woldeyesus is excited to return to the Conflict Management Prevention Center team. She is trained in and applies facilitative and transformative methods to conflict resolution, using a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach, which includes individual coaching, group intervention, and education and outreach programs. Rahwa is passionate about Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and has recently completed a certificate from George Mason University for Chief Diversity Equity Inclusion Officers. Over her career in conflict resolution, Rahwa has worked in Alternative Dispute Resolution for various agencies including U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Department of Defense. Most recently, Rahwa served as the Associate Director for Conflict Resolution Services in the Student Resolution Center at Colorado State University, managing restorative intervention services in support of student wellness, development, retention, and recidivism following incidents of conflict, conduct, and crime. In addition to advanced mediation and Restorative Justice community conferencing, Rahwa is also certified in Mental Health First Aid.

Rahwa earned a Master of Science in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University and an undergraduate degree from Haverford College. Rahwa loves spending time with friends and enjoys traveling, volunteering, running, and reading every possible book on human psychology and behavior.


Dwayne Haynes
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 8, SRS
Dwayne.Haynes@usda.gov 
205-761-3656

Dwayne Haynes is an enthusiastic leader with a heart for customer service and people. Prior to joining the CMPC, he served as the head of the Planning Department as the Facility Planning Officer for the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System. In this role, he oversaw all aspects of planning, including strategic planning, organizational planning, space management, project management, and activations as well as serving as the Contracting Officer Representative. Dwayne is a trained mediator and, while serving in this role, he has conducted mediations and trainings for the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Resolution Management.

Dwayne is a proud U.S. Army Veteran. He has a BS in Business Administration and has recently obtained his Juris Doctorate. He keeps up with current mediation, legal trends, and trainings by taking continuing education courses through Ohio State University, Harvard University, ORM’s Lunchtime Series, and through Franklin Covery’s courses. In his free time, Dwayne enjoys golfing, fishing, traveling, and reading. He coaches jr. league basketball and serves as the Minister of Music for his church. (No, he does not sing.) Dwayne looks forward to providing trainings and ADR services to promote better communication and a positive work environment.


Teresa Cordova
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 9, NRS, FPL
Teresa.Cordova@usda.gov 
505-944-8382

Teresa Cordova has worked for over 30 years in the Federal government. She has served in Civil Service in Department of Defense, Department of the Army, USDA Civil Rights and USDA Forest Service in all areas of Human Resources as a Human Resource Specialist and Civil Rights as a EEO Counselor, WO Branch Chief for EEO Counselors and Civil Rights Director. Teresa currently works for the USDA Forest Service in the WO Work Environment and Performance Office as a Conflict Management and Prevention Manager serving Region 9, NRS, and FPL.

Teresa holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on Management as well as a master’s degree. Teresa is a Certified Mediator for 31 years, Accredited Boss Whispering Coach, Certified Conflict Coach, Certified Civil Treatment Trainer, Certified Crucial Conversations Trainer, Certified Emotional Intelligence Trainer, Certified Bystander Trainer, Certified Mediator for 31 years, Facilitator, Team Builder, Certified DISC+ Values coach and trainer, Conflict Management trainer, and problem solver. She enjoys partnering with employees and management by exploring and providing ADR Services and communication tools to help them and their teams grow in their communication skills and work towards having a positive work environment.


Christa Foli
Conflict Management and Prevention Center Manager
Region 10
Christa.Foli@usda.gov 
907-444-5760

Ms. Christa Foli is a Conflict Management Prevention Center (CMOC) Manager for R10 and serving as the Acting CMPC for JCCC. Christa’s background includes time as an Equal Opportunity Specialist/Mediator with 20+ years of federal service. Ms. Foli currently works for the US Forest Service, Washington Office, Work Environment & Performance Office (WEPO), Conflict Management & Prevention Center (CMPC) stationed in Alaska. Prior to her current position, Ms. Foli worked for the US Air Force at JBER, Alaska; the US Coast Guard in Juneau, Alaska; US Army at Fort Richardson, Alaska; US Army, Heidelberg, Germany; and the Corps of Engineers at Elmendorf AFB. Christa is trained in EEO and Human relation training, Mediation (Advanced and Group), Disability Awareness Training, and True Colors, to name a few. Christa also served in the Army as an Administrative Specialist and attended the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute Basic Army Staff Management College Course.

Christa also is active in the Veteran community through the American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion organizations. Christa also servers her community through the Mayors Charity Committee (to raise money for local charities) and assists with the Last Frontier Alaska Honor Flight. Christa has received 3 Achievement Medals for Civilian Service and 2 Commanders Awards for Civilian Service. Lastly, Christa has been married to her husband David for just over 39 years and has 6 children and 16 grandchildren; she loves to cook for others and be involved in the veteran community. She is an Intelligence Trainer, Certified Bystander Trainer, Certified Mediator for 31 years, Facilitator, Team Builder, Certified DISC+ Values Coach and trainer, Conflict Management Trainer and problem solver. She enjoys partnering with employees and management by exploring and providing ADR Services and communication tools to help them and their teams grow in their communication skills and work towards having a positive work environment.


Angela Johnson
Conflict Management and Prevention Special Projects Specialist
Angela.Johnson3@usda.gov 
707-980-9388

Angela comes to the Forest Service with approximately 17 years as a Human Resources Specialist with an emphasis in Labor and Employee Relations, along with additional skills in staffing, classification, and recruiting. Prior to joining the Forest Service on March 1, 2021, Angela worked as a Business Partner for Presidio Trust in San Francisco, CA for 4 years, the United States Coast Guard for 4 years and the Social Security Administration for 7 years. Prior to starting her HR Federal Government Career, Angela worked as an International Union Organizer for AFSCME (A Federation of State County Municipal Employees) for 2 years and promoted to Business Agent where she represented the City of San Jose, City of Gilroy, and City of Santa Clara. Angela served in her Union Official role for approximately 5 years, which made her work experience ideal for a Labor/Employee Relations Specialist.

Angela is an only child with approximately 20 Uncles/Aunties, and a plethora of first cousins who she spends lots of time with. She enjoys vacationing near water, camping, and doing Social Action community service events with her sorority (Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.) that she has been a member of for over 26 years. Angela has a passion for people, making a community impact, and takes pride in providing excellent customer service. Angela has a BS degree in Business Management, and currently working on obtaining her John Maxwell Leadership Certification.

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/contact-us/conflict-management-prevention-center