After news that the current President and CEO was stepping down from the role, the Center for Dispute Settlement in Rochester has announced its replacement. Frank Liberti had been working with the Center since 2009 when he was offered the job.
The Center attributes Liberti's proven track record to what helped set him apart from other candidates. Liberti said as the incoming President and CEO, he aims to increase the Center's presence within the community.
“We have such a rich history in the mediation field and also in the civilian oversight of law enforcement,” Liberti said, “I think we need to promote it more and let people know that we’ve been doing this work for almost 45 years."
Founded in 1973, the Center for Dispute Settlement was New York State’s first dispute resolution center. It provides mediation, facilitation and arbitration services to residents of Western New York and the Finger Lakes region.
A native Rochestarian, Liberti graduated from St. John Fisher College and held various human resources, labor relations, and management positions. However, it was his most recent role as the Center’s Director of Police Community Relations, Liberti said, that best prepared him to be President.
A number of program enhancements have been made in response to public feedback.
“We can assist people in filing a compliment or a complaint about a Rochester police officer, and from our neutral position we ensure that the complainant can be assured of confidentiality, and that the complaint gets a fair, thorough and timely investigation,” Liberti said.
Current President and CEO Sherry Walker-Cowart will be stepping down at the end of the year following 25 years of service.
