Richard W. Shore

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and support services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. With national headquarters in Tucson, MDA has more than 200 offices across the country, sponsors some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports more than 330 research projects around the world. MDA supports more research on neuromuscular diseases than any other private-sector organization in the world. MDA scientists are in the forefront of gene therapy research and have uncovered the genetic defects responsible for several forms of muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), childhood spinal muscular atrophy and several other neuromuscular conditions. The Association's comprehensive services program includes diagnostic and follow-up medical consultations, flu shots, support groups, MDA summer camps for youngsters, a medical equipment program, assistance with equipment repairs and resource referral. Through its national advocacy program, MDA works to make life better for people with muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases by providing representation in matters of public policy and research advancement, nationally and internationally; and facilitating active involvement in these areas by the people it serves. MDA was created in 1950 by a group of adults with muscular dystrophy, parents of children with muscular dystrophy and a physician-scientist studying the disorder. Since its earliest days, it has been energized by its number-one volunteer and national chairman, entertainer Jerry Lewis.

Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore is an agricultural credit institution. Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore is based in Baltimore, MD.

Ernst & Young provides accounting services. Its services include auditing, accounting, tax and transaction services, assurance and advisory business, online transaction advisory and a wide range of financial services. The company was founded by Arthur Young and Alwin C. Ernst in 1881 and is headquartered in Kansas City, MO.

University of Miami (Florida) is a private research university with students from around the world that is focused on teaching and learning, the discovery of new knowledge, and service to the South Florida region and beyond. The university was founded in 1925 and it is headquartered in Coral Gables, FL.

Pennsylvania Blue Shield provides healthcare insurance coverage. The private company is based in Camp Hill, PA.

Southern Regional Education Board is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that works with states to improve public education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. The organization is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and operates in 15 member states. Its work is funded by appropriations from member states, as well as by contracts and grants from foundations and from local, state and federal agencies.

Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. is a non-profit organization, which engages in the development of technologies and specifications for the secure delivery of high speed data, video, voice, and next generation services. It also provides testing, certification facilities, and technical leadership for the cable industry. The company was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Louisville, CO.