HEAD INSTRUCTOR

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Fifty-Four Years as a Martial Arts Practitioner, and Counting...

One day, as a young teenager, I was walking home from school on the main downtown street and heard yelling coming from a window on the 3rd floor. It drew my attention, and there I noticed a small sign that said “Academy of Okinawan Karate”. This is where I met Sensei Howard Flynn and studied Pang Gai Noon - Uechi Ryu Karate for approximately 3 years before Sensei Flynn retired.     

While at my 1st Karate tournament I was exposed to Kenpo and was immediately hooked. There were no Kenpo/Kempo schools anywhere in my state (Vermont), so I began traveling, visiting, and learning from as many Kenpo based instructors as I could find. This focus included learning Kenpo Karate with Jean Guy Angel, Kajukenbo with Leonard Endrizzi, Shaolin Kempo with Fred Villari & Fred Bagley, and Tracy’s Kenpo with Walt Peterson, Dave Harris, and eventually Al Tracy.          

In 1975, I was working-out at a local studio where I had been training in Jang Kwon Do, (a blend of Korean Karate, Aikijutsu & Judo), when a husband & wife came in and eventually asked me to go and teach in their town. At first, I declined, as I had no thoughts of becoming an instructor at that time. They said that they would find a location and recruit students. Eventually, I agreed. However, I didn’t really believe they would be able to make it happen. Three weeks later they called me saying that they had secured the high school gym and had 50 students signed up. I’ve been teaching and operating self-defense clubs & eventually studios ever since!          

During the late 1970s thru the early 1990’s, I was employed as a bouncer, Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, and Chief of Security. This provided me with numerous opportunities to practice my martial arts skills, expanding on the Jiu Jitsu that is in Kenpo, as well as from any Jiu Jitsu seminars I could attend & books I could get my hands on.          

In the mid 1990’s, after many years of researching traditional Kung Fu styles, I discovered Master Bill Hulsey & Kung Fu San Soo. Traditional & animal Kung Fu styles just didn’t fit my body type or my search for practical Kung Fu.    

Grand Master Jimmy H. Woo referred to San Soo as “Human Kung Fu”. It utilizes long & short arm punches, strikes and kicks, Chin Na leverages, and Shuai Chiao throws. I have been studying San Soo with Master Hulsey now for over 20 years.    

In 2008 I had the opportunity to study Siu Lum Pai (Shaolin) Gung Fu, which consists of Hung Gar & Choy Li Fut, two of the most popular traditional Kung Fu styles with Sifu Ray Hildreth. I continue to study to this day.        

In 2011, I had the opportunity to begin studying Goshin Jujitsu & Danzan Ryu with Sensei Cory Carlson.      

With my background in law enforcement, security, and self-defense experience it allows me to offer a prospective to students that few instructors can offer!