Alumni Board

President, Daniel J. Girard

President, Daniel J. Girard '01
Daniel resides in Hayward, California and works as the school counselor at the California School for the Deaf (CSD). Outside of his work life, Daniel is involved with different organizations such as National Association of the Deaf (NAD), California Association of the Deaf (CAD), and NCOD Alumni Chapter. He has strong interest in promoting leadership and personal growth opportunities with youths such as working at deaf camps during the summer. Daniel graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2001 and continued his education at Gallaudet University and obtained his Masters in School Counseling and Guidance with emphasis in Mental Health in 2005. Daniel is a proud brother and alumni of the Lambda Sigma Pi Fraternity and past President of the Deaf CSUNians (2000-2001). He, as the NCOD Alumni Chapter President, is looking forward strengthening the NCOD Alumni Chapter and connecting with alumni and current students.



Vice President, Gerald Nelson

Vice President, Gerald "Jerry" Nelson '82

Gerald "Jerry" Nelson is Director of Strategic Policy at Purple Communications (formerly GoAmerica). He is responsible for internal and external policy matters, with emphasis on building relationships internally among deaf and hard of hearing employees and externally with Purple customers. Jerry has over 16 years of experience in the telecommunications relay industry. Prior to GoAmerica, he was Senior Manager at Verizon Relay (formerly MCI Relay), overseeing marketing and outreach functions; he was also instrumental in growing and achieving dominant market share in IP relay services. He also served as Vice President of Strategic Solutions at Wynd Communications, which originally led the wireless pager revolution within the deaf market. Prior to entering the corporate world, Jerry was assistant professor at Gallaudet University, owner/president of a management consulting business, and executive director of non-profit organizations in Minnesota and Northern Virginia. His educational background includes a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology, M.A. degree in Education Administration and Supervision from California State University at Northridge (through its Leadership Training Program), mini-MBA certification from St. Thomas College in Minnesota, and several doctorate-level courses at Gallaudet University. Jerry resides in Annapolis, MD with his wife, Nancy Bloch, who is the chief executive officer of the National Association of the Deaf. Originally from Minnesota, he has two sons and three grandchildren who reside there.



Secretary, Dana Foster Armendariz

Secretary, Dana Foster Armendariz '92

Dana resides in southern California with her husband of 22 years, Rene. They have two children - Kaila, who is currently a sophomore in college and Daniel, a sophomore in high school. Dana recently joined Cognizant, an IT company, as a Senior Associate. Dana is also an active volunteer with Girl Scouts. She is a troop leader for a group of Senior level (high school) girls, and she has been involved in several committees for the local Girl Scout council office. Dana obtained her BA in Deaf Studies with an emphasis in Human Services in June 1992 at CSUN. Dana joined the NCOD Alumni Board last year as a Secretary, and she will be busy continuing her role with Daniel and the new Board members!



Treasurer, Melanie Nakaji

Treasurer, Melanie Nakaji

Melanie and her husband, Daniel Nakaji (CSUN graduate '92) reside in San Diego, CA. Last year, Melanie graduated with a Ph.D. in Human Rehabilitation from the University of Northern Colorado. Now she works at University of California San Diego (UCSD) Cancer Center as the project manager for three different grants at the related to medical sign language and improving the Deaf community's access to health information. In her spare time, she's organizing fundraising functions for the "Deaf in Pink" 3-Day Breast Walk, lifts heavy weights, gets her money's worth at the "all you can" eat soup and salad buffet, and spins hard so she can indulge in desserts and pasta!



eNewsletters Editor, Erika (Leger) Guarino

eNewsletters Editor, Erika (Leger) Guarino '03

Erika (Leger) Guarino, the e-newsletter editor, is a CSUN '03 graduate who holds a Bachelor Degree in Liberal Studies with an ASL concentration. While at CSUN, she was heavily involved in Deaf CSUNians, Alpha Sigma Theta, and the 2000 College Bowl. She went on to receive her Master of Deaf Education degree at Boston University in December 2006. Erika married Matthew Guarino who attended CSUN for several years. The two of them are currently residing in Marlborough, Massachusetts while Erika works at her old high school as a teacher of the deaf and also is an instructor in evening adult education programs. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, crafts, watching good movies, and spending time with her family and friends. Erika is looking forward to hearing from the alumni and NCOD staff as she compiles each edition of the e-newsletter!



Past President, James "Manny" Johnson

Past President, James "Manny" Johnson '04

Manny and his wife, Sheena McFeely, reside in paradise that people call Burbank, CA. He currently has the pleasure of working for CSDVRS, LLC. as a Regional Sales Manger covering Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon and serving on the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Board as a Regional Representative. Sheena and Manny are expecting their first baby in April 2009. As the Past President of NCOD Alumni Chapter, he still holds a special place in his heart for all the CSUN Alumni out there that are not yet connected as he still meets so many new amazing CSUN Alumni out there. Manny is excited about the upcoming reunion that will take place within a couple of years and the many things that this chapter is capable of.



Get Involved

Want to get involved? Want to make a difference within the Alumni? Want to meet new and old Alumni? If you are interested, then please contact Manny Johnson, President, at ncodalumni@gmail.com.

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