Thomas Shimota is a seasoned businessman, having owned and operated NAPA auto parts franchise stores for nearly 30 years. He is volunteer board member and administrator of Family Innocence, a nonprofit dedicated to keeping families out of court: resolving conflicts and injustices peacefully. Tom is trained in three forms of mediation, with Erickson Mediation Institute, Simon Mediation in association with the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation, Inc (Transformative Mediation), and restorative circle mediation with Family Innocence, where he was also assistant faculty. Tom has participated in a variety of restorative circle trainings including with the National Association of Community & Restorative Justice. Tom is a family innocence advocate, and has co-facilitated a variety of restorative circle mediations. Tom is depicted here with Family Innocence advocate, Janice Grendier, from Washington, D.C. , at the most recent NACRJ Restorative Justice conference.