Philip Meadows

392162
February 2018

Personal Background
My name is Michael Dodson. I am an ordained minister and counselor currently living in
Oklahoma City. The focus of my life and my wife’s, for the last 40 years has been mentoring,
coaching and discipling young men and women. My heart and head were captured in college by
the idea that through one on one and small group help, lives could be changed for the better.

Although I came from a terrific home I was fairly directionless at Oklahoma State until someone
undertook the process of helping me in the way I mentioned above. Since then I’ve earned an
BA in Education, an MS in Education both from OSU, a mini-MBA from Tulsa University, and a
Doctorate from Masters International School of Divinity in Indiana. I’ve personally trained
students from colleges in Colorado-including USAFA, Colorado State University, and Colorado
University, Students at ASU, U of A and NAU in Arizona, and at Oklahoma State, OU, OBU, OCU,
and Southwestern in OK. I also worked for nearly 10 years at Stillwater Designs and Audio (an
international car audio manufacturer) as the Director of Leadership Training and Development,
and as Global Marketing Director. I married Victoria Stow in 1976 and together we raised our
three children and now have been blessed with nine grandchildren. I currently work in
Oklahoma for CROSStraining Ministries which is headquartered in Colorado Springs. We meet
with young couples, most of whom we knew when they were students at OSU, in one on one
and small group settings encouraging them to live and work for the good of the City (Jeremiah
29:5-7) where God has placed them.

Victoria and I raised our family in Stillwater from 1990-2012. Along with our children we knew
the families of virtually everyone involved in the tragic unwarranted death of Tommy
Paeyeneers. There was a palpable grief that settled over the city during those days as the case
unfolded and it became clear what had happened. Almost no one remained untouched by the
sorrow that came through this nor the questions it made each of us as parents ask ourselves
about what we needed to do better. Philip and his younger brother Josh were really good kids.
We personally knew Josh better simply because he played in several sports with our youngest
son. My wife attended the trial and felt herself always torn over how to show support for each
of the families.

I have kept up with Philip over the last 15 years or so through my eldest son Jon who also has a
letter that he has written on Philip’s behalf. I remember Jon talking about his visits at prison
with him and his joy at finding that Philip, instead of becoming more hardened by a very tough
system, had instead been softened through a relationship with God whose business it is to
change hearts. Having been close friends with several men who worked in the prison system in
AZ as guards and another as Chief of Security, I came to see how terribly difficult it is to survive
the violence and anger that fills much of prison life even as a guard, much less as a prisoner. I
also learned that without help and hope, just living life in prison becomes very difficult. I believe
the combination of an internal heart/attitude change and the promise of friends, family and
meaningful work outside prison gives me tremendous confidence that Philip will be a
productive member in our community. I am in the middle of that same community of people
and church, who want to join Philip and his wife Amanda in restarting his life outside of prison.

I believe strongly in Justice. I also believe when justice is married to mercy (defined as not
getting what I deserve) and grace (getting what I don’t deserve) we will find ourselves joining in
actually redeeming men and women and in the end knowing that this should be the goal of all
Justice-Restoration and reconciliation not just punishment. I know that because of the hearts of
men that’s not always possible, but I believe-particularly in this case-that the restoration and
reconciliation only needs a chance. It is my sincerest desire that you parole Philip. Please don’t
delay this new beginning. I’m convinced this should be a great example of the “system” getting
it right through punishment, restoration, and then allowing him to join society-particularly the
one that wants to embrace him and his family in Oklahoma City.

I cannot imagine how difficult it is to serve on any parole board. Thank you for your service in
trying to make a difference through wisdom, compassion and justice. We are all grateful that
you’ve chosen to serve and make these life shaping decisions.