Ira Akselrad is the President of the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation and a key advisor to the Johnson family.  Ira also serves as President of The Johnson Company, and oversees strategic planning including investments, financial reporting, estate / trust planning and administration, tax reporting and planning and foundation administration.  Prior to joining the Company, Ira was an attorney for 22 years at the New York law firm, Proskauer Rose LLP.  

Ira also lends his talents to legal and charitable organizations.  He is Chair of the Board of the Lupus Research Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure for lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease. Ira is a board member of the New York Legal Assistance Group and DVL, Inc., a mission-critical service provider.    

 Ira resides in New York City and Palm Beach with his wife, Susan.  They have two adult children, Cara and Mitchell, and enjoy the company of four delightful grandchildren.