Richard Colley, the longtime president of Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service Inc., died on May 9 after a five-week battle with COVID-19.  He was 64. Richard is survived by his wife Kathy and their two sons, Zach and Josh.

Richard took a circuitous route to the alternative dispute resolution business. He graduated from Augusta College in 1977 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Until he joined Henning in 2003, Richard had spent his entire career in the footwear industry, rising to the position of general manager of a 25-store chain. He was brought to Henning to take some of the day-to-day responsibilities off founder Ed Henning's plate. "Richard's retail and marketing ability brought a strong business direction to the growth of the company," noted Terrence Croft, who was on the Henning panel for 13 years.

Richard worked closely with Ed Henning, and he was instrumental in the smooth transition following Ed's death in 2010. As recalled by Bill Goodman, who has been on the Henning panel since its inception in 1996, "When Ed died, the office continued seamlessly." Croft expressed a similar sentiment: "Richard Colley was a big man and needed to be to fill the shoes of his predecessor at Henning Mediation, Ed Henning, an ADR leader of enormous heart and vision."  Rex Smith, who was on the Henning panel for 16 years, said "Richard Colley was an excellent leader for Henning Mediation. He shepherded us through the transition after the loss of Ed Henning."

Richard's responsibilities expanded after Ed Henning's death, and he did an outstanding job running and growing Henning. "Richard was a consummate businessman, and a master of the numbers," said Henning panel member Gino Brogdon Sr. Among Richard's many accomplishments was leading the renovation and expansion of the Henning offices in 2016, including adding state of the art electronics.

Running an ADR business is not an easy job. It requires a unique skill set, and Richard was a master. Richard and his staff did a great job of taking care of all the administrative matters so the panel members could devote their time to mediations and arbitrations. As recalled by Croft, "While managing lawyers, which is said to be more difficult than herding cats, Richard managed to obtain, train and retain an outstanding staff to support the activities of his lawyers. He will be missed by many."

Richard was always willing to lend a helping hand, not only to the Henning staff and panel members but also to the attorneys and parties who used Henning's services. As remembered by Brynda Insley of Taylor English Duma, "I am deeply saddened to hear of Richard's death. He was a true gentleman and a beacon of light during my long days at Henning, turning on Fox News in my room, bringing me a laptop or phone charger and always meeting my every need. He was a class act in a long tradition of class acts at Henning Mediation, starting with Ed Henning himself."

David Zacks, a former Henning panel member, said "I got to know Richard well, and he was always available, knowledgeable and had an earnest sense of caring about you. He will be missed by the Henning organization, the Georgia Bar and all who interacted with him."

Art Glaser, longtime Henning panel member, recalled: "As usual, my last contact with Richard was him showing me selflessly how to do some electronic wizardry. He was a friend and an associate who will be missed."

I know from my personal experience on the Henning panel for the last 15½ years, that Richard always had a smile on his face, and I never heard him say a bad word about anyone (even when referring to late paying lawyers). I considered him a friend, and I always found time to visit with Richard when I was at Henning for a mediation or arbitration. I will miss him.

Patrick G. Jones is a mediator and arbitrator with Henning Mediation & Arbitration Service, Inc., and Of Counsel with Friend, Hudak & Harris.