Plainville resident Michael A. Johnson of Southington Elks Lodge No. 1669, was installed as the new leader of the Northwest District of the Connecticut Elks Association as members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks from across the nation gathered in Anaheim, Calif., from July 6 to 10, for the order's 144th Grand Lodge Convention. During the convention, members voted on key issues facing the order and elected its new national leaders.

Johnson, 39, is a native of Berlin and has lived in Plainville for 14 years. He runs a family auto repair shop in Berlin. He has been a member of the Southington Elks Lodge No. 1669 for the past 14 years. There are no Elks Lodges in Plainville; the closest are Southington, New Britain and Bristol.

As the Elks national representative for the area, Johnson will be responsible for working with local Elks Lodgers to fulfill the order's longstanding commitment to promote charity and patriotism in their communities. In the position of District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, Johnson will play a vital role in the workings of the BPO Elks, with duties including the advising of lodges on internal and business matters, reviewing how national policy is implemented by the Lodges in the district, and assist in the coordination and supervision of Elks' activities on many levels. Johnson said he will oversee eight Elks Lodges in the central Connecticut area.

During his membership with the Southington Lodge, Johnson has held the offices of Exalted Ruler numerous times, has been a Lodge trustee for four years with three as chairman, State Accident Prevention Chairman for the Northwest District from 1998 to 2008, and served on the District Deputy Suite with the last three District Deputies. He was selected as leader of the Northwest District by application and interview process.

In addition to helping set the course of the BPO Elks in the coming year while at the convention, Johnson also learned of the order's many national accomplishments. Last year, the 1 million-plus members of the Elks made charitable contributions totaling more than $200 million (cash and in-kind), which went to support scholarships and educational grants, drug awareness and education programs, aid to the nation's veterans, youth athletics and the Elks state associations' major projects, which provide funding for everything from cancer treatment and research to shelters for the victims of domestic violence.

At the Anaheim convention, Johnson attended sessions of the Grand Lodge and the indoctrination of more than 200 other District Deputies from across the country.

Johnson's appointment to this key position in the order signals the high confidence that the national officers of the BPO Elks place in his abilities, according to a press release.

Johnson is married to Plainville native Denise (Pelletier), "my best friend and love," he said.