Foundation on Prevention & Early Resolution of Conflict

The Foundation on Prevention & Early Resolution of Conflict, "better known by its acronym PERC, is a not-for-profit foundation Ted Kheel formed in 1994. PERC's mission is to promote a better understanding of how the voluntary techniques of conflict resolution - negotiation, mediation and arbitration - actually work.

"Shortly after its formation, PERC entered into a strategic alliance with a companion entity that Cornell University created and called the Cornell Institute on Conflict Resolution (ICR). The alliance combines ICR's academic expertise with PERC's practical experience.

"Kheel, a nationally known mediator, serves as PERC's President with William L. Lurie, former President of The Business Roundtable, as Chairman. They are both Directors as are Raymond W. Kelly, a former commissioner of the U.S. Customs Service and of the New York City Police Department and now a senior managing director and global head of corporate security of Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc., and James Sweeney, a top IBM official for over 30 years.

"PERC and ICR joined forces recently in creating the Master Locksmith of Deadlock Bargaining Award for outstanding services as a mediator. Former Senator George Mitchell was the first recipient of the award in ceremonies in New York City on May 29, 2001 which included a Symposium on Making Mediation Work as part of a Tribute to Mediation. A summary of the Symposium can be found by accessing News and Views on this web site."