Dispute Resolution Section Presents Peace Award to Jody Minor
Joseph (Jody) Kirkman Minor Jr., who served as Executive Director of the Mediation Network of North Carolina, received the 2023 Peace Award from the NCBA Dispute Resolution Section on June 27.
The award was presented during a special virtual ceremony due to Minor’s declining health. Minor, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer on July 10, described the honor as “more award than I ever anticipated.”
Jody Minor
Frank Laney of the Dispute Resolution Section Nominations Committee, in presenting the award, likened Minor’s work to “herding cats.”
“There is an old TV commercial for a computer company that talks about cat herders,” Laney said. “They are rough and tough and do a tough, dirty job, but it is an important job, and they get it done. It is a funny commercial, and when I see it, I think of Jody Minor.”
Minor, he continued, has been a “cat herder” for many years.
“For decades Jody had been the Executive Director of the Mediation Network, which is made up of several dozen local, independent mediation centers providing services across our state. It has been Jody’s job to keep them all sort of coordinated, generally going the same direction.
“For although they are independent and locally based, they frequently provide mediation services through statewide programs. And in doing so, they must be coordinated and operate within the same guidelines. But to achieve that can be like herding cats – which Jody has done so well.”
Comments were also provided by Judge Robin Anderson of the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings and Executive Director Tara Kozlowski of the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission.
“Close to two decades ago,” Anderson said, “Jody Minor had a visionary goal. Working tirelessly on behalf of the Mediation Network of North Carolina, Jody’s relentless efforts included lobbying the Governor and navigating the halls of the General Assembly.
“Thanks to his instrumental role, legislation was passed to establish the Medicaid Recipient mediation program. Jody has been the backbone and heart of this program, and personally, I must acknowledge that the Office of Administrative Hearings owes much of its success to him. With Jody’s guidance, we have resolved over 118,000 appeals, and it has been an incredibly fulfilling journey.
Anderson also conveyed appreciation from Judge Julian Mann, who served more than 31 years as chief administrative law judge and director of the Office of Administrative Hearings.
“Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking with Judge Mann to inform him about the Peace Award,” Anderson said. “He expressed that individuals like Jody, who act creatively and collaboratively to find diplomatic solutions to public health care crises and dedicate themselves wholeheartedly, leave an indelible mark of success.
“The profound impact of Jody’s achievements cannot be overstated. Without his dedication, one can only imagine the plight of the most vulnerable North Carolinians. Jody’s selfless actions have significantly transformed the lives of others, and his unwavering commitment deserves recognition through this esteemed Peace Award.”
Kozlowski, who has served as executive director of the Dispute Resolution Commission since 2018, added that it had been a joy to work with Minor.
“You have kept such a spark in our office,” Kozlowski said. “You have always had such a good sense of humor. We appreciate your insight, your brilliance, your cooperation and collaboration. I love it that you have always been a straight shooter. You have made my world so much better.”
Minor then expressed his appreciation for being named the second recipient of the Peace Award, preceded in that regard by Judge J. Randolph Ward.
“Mediating Medicaid appeals was the birth child of Diann Seigle,” Minor said in regard to the longtime executive director of Carolina Dispute Settlement Services. “Diann came up with the idea. Diann presented it and Diann championed it all the way through.
“From there I have always said that my job was more like the local janitor, because you ran around scoop up a little of this and scoop up a little of that, and at the end of the day try to keep everybody focused in the same direction. It couldn’t have happened without the determination and leadership of the Dispute Resolution Commission, Dispute Resolution Section, as well as the many people all around.
“Thank you all very much. This has indeed been the pleasure of my life, so thank you.”
Russell Rawlings is director of external affairs and communications for the North Carolina Bar Association.