Donald A. Gordon, Ph.D.

Don Gordon is a Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Divorce Education. Dr. Gordon is a 40+ year clinical psychologist and researcher with an area of expertise targeting the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency.

During his 40 years of working with families, Dr. Gordon has studied the effects that different strategies have on reducing conflict within a family (both with parents and children). In the early 1980’s Dr. Gordon and his colleague Dr. Jack Arbothnot developed the Children in Between curriculum (formerly known as Children in the Middle) which is designed specifically to help change the behaviors of divorcing/separating parents who unknowingly place their children in the middle of their conflict, resulting in the most harmful of consequences which often lead to youth acting out in negative ways. For more than 20 years, Dr. Gordon has been providing parenting and co-parenting curricula that is skills-based, allowing families to take away from each course concrete, actionable steps that can be turned into behavior changing habits. These results improve the lives of parents, their children, and their family unit overall.

Through the Center, Dr. Gordon continues to pursue research that challenges his own assumptions and strives to find best-practices that continue to (a) help families reduce their conflict, and (b) help courts by providing families with tools that are proven to shift re-litigation rates and improve communication and interaction.

P. Leslie Herold, Ph.D.

Les Herold is a Psychologist and Director of the Solutions for Families organization based in San Bernardino, California. Dr. Herold has run an effective parent education program for divorcing families for over fourteen years. He is a frequent presenter at the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts conference and recipient of the AFCC's Irwin Cantor Award for Innovative Programs. Dr. Herold has been instrumental towards ensuring the Center’s programs remain current in helping to meet the needs of separating and divorcing families. The Center is honored to have Dr. Herold as a Board Member as well as serving as an Expert to our programs & clients.

Thomas Hodson, J.D.

Thom Hodson is an Attorney and Director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Mr. Hodson holds the distinction of being a former U.S. Supreme Court Clerk to the Honorable William Rehnquist; and is now, himself, a retired Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in Athens County, Ohio. Mr. Hodson currently serves as the Director for the public broadcasting station, WOUB out of Ohio University. Mr. Hodson’s understanding of the justice system as well as his strength as a media expert, provide valuable insight to the work the Center pursues. The Center is privileged to have Mr. Hodson as a Board Member.

Harry Kotses, Ph.D.

Harry Kotses is a Professor of Psychology Emeritus from Ohio University. Dr. Kotses area of expertise lies in the field of behavioral health care of children. Dr. Kotses has received numerous federal grants to conduct research that has improved the lives of asthmatic children and their families. As one of the co-founders of the Center, Dr. Kotses brings a historical perspective of the growth in the divorce-education field. He contributes his passion for assisting those who find themselves in the midst of the Justice System. The Center is proud to include Dr. Kotses as a Board Member.

Paul Lewis, Ph.D.

Paul Lewis is a Professor of Psychology Emeritus from Ohio University. Dr. Lewis' area of expertise lies in the field of behavior change. Dr. Lewis has a deep understanding of the most effective methods for promoting behavior change, which has contributed greatly to the instructional design approaches used in the Center's programs. Dr. Lewis' has published widely, is considered an expert in his area, and is cited frequently by leading scientists conducting current research in the field of psychology. The Center is proud to have Dr. Lewis a one of its co-founding Board Members.

Frederick L. Oremus, J.D.

Fred Oremus is an Attorney specializing in Family Law in Athens, Ohio. Mr. Oremus brings with him a wealth of expertise in the matters related to the needs of low income families involved with the justice system. Among his many achievements, Mr. Oremus currently serves as a Trustee to the Ohio State Bar Association, and is a current Board Member of the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation. Mr. Oremus has a long history of being a philanthropist in his community and serving on many boards. With this Mr. Oremus lends his own experience to help guide the Center's activities toward meeting our stated goals and mission. The Center is honored to include Mr. Oremus among its prestigious Board Members.