Bob Johnson
President & CEO

Robert Johnson is the current President and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts (SOMA). Mr. Johnson has devoted his entire professional career, over 35 years, working to serve and improve the lives of those with intellectual disabilities. He started at SOMA in 1989 as the organizations Vice President for Marketing and Development until 1998 when he was promoted to SOMA President and CEO.

Prior to joining Special Olympics, Mr. Johnson dedicated 19 years to serving children and adults with special needs through his work in various capacities in public education. He was a Special Education Teacher for six years, a Special Education Administrator for nine years and he acted as Massachusetts’ Chief Compliance Officer for Special Education for four years. Mr. Johnson left his mark through his contributions to the development of C. 766, Massachusetts’ comprehensive special education law and in 1987, he authored the state’s regulations for the approval of private school serving publicly funded special needs children.

Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the 1970 class of Westfield State College where he also received his Masters Degree in Special Education Administration in 1972. He has also completed advanced graduate studies in the field of school law and management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Mr. Johnson has been a guest lecturer at numerous area colleges and universities. Mr. Johnson has been married 34 years, has four grown children and five grandchildren. He lives with his wife, Ellen, in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

Terry Keilty
Vice President for Program

Terry Keilty not only has a long history with Special Olympics Massachusetts, she has also had the opportunity to make history with the organization. The Georgetown resident graduated with an associate's degree from Westbrook College in Maine and received an additional degree in Therapeutic Recreation from Arizona State University in 1980.

Keilty began her career with Special Olympics as a volunteer coach serving North Shore athletes, she then became the Section Director for the Northeast Section and was eventually promoted to Vice President of Program and Area Support. In 1984, the Unified Sports Program (program where someone without intellectual disabilities who partners with intellectually disabled athletes) started in Massachusetts. Keilty helped make history when she competed as a Unified Partner on the very first unified softball team and at the time had no idea what a significant impact the Unified Sports Program would have on the organization.
In her spare time, Keilty enjoys traveling, movies, decorating her home and watching her son and daughter play sports.