Task Force Member Profiles

Nicholas A. Johnson
Waltham, Mass.

Nick Johnson, 43, is an associate and senior mechanical engineer at Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers LLC, a Keyspan Business Solution company, at their headquarters in Watertown, Mass. He lives with his wife, Susan, in Waltham, Mass.

He is a registered professional engineer, a certified energy manager and a certified LEEDs (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) engineer. Johnson earned his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1985. Johnson has performed a wide range of engineering analyses for medical centers, universities, private corporations and other clients worldwide. He has traveled across the country giving engineering presentations and has been involved with the analysis and negotiation of energy company rebates totaling several million dollars. He has completed energy analyses for several projects that have received national awards from the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers.

Johnson served as chairman of the Massachusetts State Energy Advisory Committee from 1996 to 2000 and is currently a member. During his term as chairman, the committee developed and implemented a new state energy code. He’s past president of the Boston chapter of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers. Johnson has authored several articles for national engineering trade magazines.

Johnson is chairman of MDA’s Massachusetts State Task Force on Public Awareness. He is also involved with many MDA fund-raising events, appears annually on the local broadcast of the MDA Telethon and has helped to organize several expositions focused on current state-of-the-art
technology available for people facing physical challenges.

He was the recipient of MDA’s 1993 Personal Achievement Award for the New England Region, and MDA’s 1995 State Personal Achievement Award for Massachusetts. Johnson received MDA’s 2004 National Personal Achievement Award.

Johnson has Friedreich’s ataxia, a disease of the peripheral nerves that causes a lack of coordination and muscle weakness.

Elio Navarro
Tampa, Fla.

Elio Navarro, 26, is a software developer for the business and tax advisory company PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Navarro completed work for his master’s degree in business administration at the University of South Florida in 2003.

As an undergraduate at the university, Navarro served as a leader of Inroads, a professional development organization for minority students.

Navarro, an accomplished public speaker in both English and Spanish, has tutored and mentored young people with disabilities. He also owns and manages several Internet-based businesses.

Navarro helped found and was president of the Tampa Thunder, a power wheelchair soccer team, and serves as a leader for the United States Power Soccer Association. Navarro mentors team members under age 21 and has been joined by several other MDA clients in the sport. His interest in power soccer began when he attended MDA summer camp as a youngster. He now is also a member of the 2007 U.S. National Team, an elite team of 12 (nine of which have a form of MD).

Among his MDA activities, Navarro was the subject of a videotaped profile on the national broadcasts of the 2003 and 2004 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethons and was interviewed live on the 2003 show.

Navarro has spinal muscular atrophy, a progressive motor neuron disorder that causes weakness in the arms, legs and torso. He uses a power wheelchair for mobility, and drives a custom-fitted van to commute to and from work.

He and his wife, Jessica, live in Tampa.

Michael Neufeldt
New Berlin, Wis.

Mike Neufeldt, 29, is in online programs and operations at Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee. Neufeldt is a 2000 graduate of Marquette University where he majored in broadcast and electronic communications with a minor in marketing, and is certified in Web page design.

A former MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, Neufeldt describes his years of service, 1987 and 1988, as "the two best years of my life." Neufeldt serves as a co-host on the MDA Telethon on WDJT-TV in Milwaukee. He spoke to the MDA Telethon emcees in August 2000 about his involvement with MDA and the media. He continues to make appearances and work at MDA events both locally and nationally.

Neufeldt attended Marquette as a Burke Scholar, receiving full tuition, room and board, and expenses for four years in recognition of his academic achievements and community service. In addition to volunteering at MDA, Neufeldt was a coordinator with the Marquette University Community Action Program, and he worked at MU-TV, the campus television station. He is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national journalism honor society, and Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit honor society.

In the spring of 2006, Marquette University awarded Neufeldt The James T. Tiedge Memorial Award. It is awarded to former students of Broadcast and Electronic Communication for professional excellence consistent with the values of ethical behavior and responsibility taught and lived by James Tiedge.

In 1997, Eisenhower High School honored Neufeldt by naming its new baseball field Mike Neufeldt Field.

Neufeldt co-authored a book on Marquette University basketball entitled Tales from the Marquette Hardwood. It chronicles the history of Marquette basketball from Al McGuire’s 1977 national championship team to present. The book was released in December 2005.

Neufeldt has Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, which was diagnosed in his childhood.

| MDA National Task Force | Members A-F | Members G-N | Members O-Z |