Motor Sports Instructor Biographies

     Rodney C. Johnson

Rodney Johnson co-founder of Risk Management Associates.  He serves as Division Chief of the City of Greenwood Fire Department Fire Prevention Division and has been in the fire service for 28 years.  He has an Associates of Applied Fire Science Degree from Indiana Vocational Technical College (Ivy Tech) in Indianapolis.  Rodney carries numerous Indiana State Fire Certifications including: Fire Inspector I/II, Fire Investigator I, Fire Instructor II/III, and Master Firefighter in Motor Sports.  He has served as a member of the Indiana Motor Sports Curriculum Task Force and is also an Instructor with the SFI Drag Racing Safety Training Program.  Rodney is certified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (A-EMT) in the State of Indiana since 1982.

 Rodney has been a member of the Emergency Services Fire Safety Team at Indianapolis Raceway Park for 21years.  He has also worked with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Fire Safety Team for the last 18 years.  Additionally, Rodney has worked as the Chief of the Pits for the last 19 years at the Cleveland Grand Prix.  He serves as a member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Safety Safari for both National Events and Divisional Events for the North Central Division. 

     Manuela C. “Ela” Johnson

Manuela Johnson has been in Emergency Services since 1978.  She is currently certified as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (A-EMT) in the State of Indiana and has held an EMS certification for 25 years.  She served as a volunteer fire fighter for 22 years retiring from active service in 2002.  She carries numerous firefighter certifications including Instructor II/III, Fire Investigator I and Master Firefighter in Motor Sports.  She has served as a member of the Indiana Motor Sports Curriculum Task Force.  A graduate from Purdue University (Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis), Manuela holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology and Chemistry.  She has worked in Indiana State Government for 20 years both in the Environmental and Emergency Management Fields.  Currently, Manuela is the Mitigation Section Chief at the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. 

 Manuela started in motor sports 25 years ago and has served on both the fire safety and medical teams at Indianapolis Speedrome, Indianapolis, Motor Speedway and Indianapolis Raceway Park.  She has also served as a Pit Captain at the Cleveland Grand Prix.  Manuela is a member of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Safety Safari working at both National and North Central Division Events.