Some problems need a courtroom.
Most don’t.
Capt. Michael R. Ange, Ph.D. is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator — County, a globally credentialed maritime and diving industry executive, a McGraw-Hill published author, a Gulf War veteran, and holds a Ph.D. in educational psychology (adult) with research focused on curriculum development and improving survival outcomes in critical incidents — earned in the United Kingdom.
Open Paths Global offers two distinct services. They share one practitioner.
Mediation Services
When a dispute needs resolution without the cost, delay, and uncertainty of litigation — mediation is the path. Dr. Ange is Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediator — County, with experience across civil, commercial, maritime, and business matters. Parties may engage with or without counsel. International matters welcome.
In litigation, attorneys and the court control the process and the outcome. In mediation, the parties retain control of both — with a neutral third party merely facilitating productive conversation.
No court involvement necessary if agreement can be reached. Just two sides and a structured process designed to help parties find their own resolution.
→ Learn More About Mediation Services
Consulting & Coaching
When a business needs a straight assessment, a career needs an honest outside perspective, or a recovery demands more than a timeline — this is the other side of what Open Paths Global does. Direct, experience-based, and structured around your specific situation. Not a program. Not a process. A conversation with someone who has been where you are or at least in a very similar place and came back from it.
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About Dr. Ange
Capt. Michael R. Ange, Ph.D. began life in N.C. farm country working tobacco fields every summer from the age of 12, and began his professional life in law enforcement and military service before building one of the more unusual and genuinely distinguished professional records in the maritime and diving world. He founded ERDI — the world’s largest public safety diver training agency — served as Global Training Director for SSI TXR, ran the North and South American divisions of European companies including Draeger Dive and Waterproof Diving International, earned his doctorate in the United Kingdom, and authored the McGraw-Hill book Diver Down alongside multiple agency training textbooks published in 12 languages.
He is a disabled Gulf War veteran (Desert Shield, Storm and Saber) who has also recovered from 18 broken bones including vertebrae following a single 2023 trauma accident. He holds a USCG Merchant Marine Master License, is a Master Aerospace Educator and Squadron Commander with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and maintains an active NRA certified personal defense instructor credential.
He does not do easy problems. He does not offer easy answers. If you have a situation that requires someone who has seen genuinely difficult terrain and kept moving — that is what Open Paths Global is for.
Contact Open Paths Global
Initial conversations are available at no charge for both mediation and consulting inquiries. Dr. Ange responds personally to all inquiries.
Mediation and consulting/coaching services are independent of one another and are offered as separate engagements. Existing coaching and consulting clients may not engage Open Paths Global for mediation services, as this would compromise the mediator’s required neutrality.