Hyatt Regency Atlanta

May 27, 2023 Saturday
8:00 – 8:50am Kinstretch (Krinsky)
8:00 – 8:50am Boot Camp Workout (J. Lacy)
8:00 – 8:50am History of TKD forms especially the quirky stuff (Byrd)
8:00 – 8:50am Community Involvement (Dominach)

9:00 – 9:50am Movement and Hands in Sparring (Langlois)
9:00 – 9:50am Juniors Sparring (Harrell)
9:00 – 9:50am Tournament judging basics (McCoy)
9:00 – 9:50am CRM Roundtable

10:00 – 10:50am Impenetrable Defense in Sparring (W. Davis)
10:00 – 10:50am Tricking (Kyle & DeMeo)
10:00 – 10:50am Practical application of forms (Slomovitz)
10:00 – 10:50am Leadership/ instructor Development (Sullivan)

11:00 – 11:50am Timing and Combos in Sparring (P. Dang)
11:00 – 11:50am Working Through Injuries (E. Davis)
11:00 – 11:50am Teaching effective sparring (Lacy)
11:00 – 11:50am Creating a Testing Cycle Plan (Anderson)

12:00 – 1:00pm Sparring the Ledgends

2:00 – 4:50pm Instructor Certification
2:00 – 4:50pm CPR First Aid
2:00 – 2:50pm Preparing for National Testing (K. Young)

3:00 – 3:50pm Advanced Forms Technique (Strouss)

4:00 – 4:50pm Board Breaking Techniques (McClellans)

8:00- 9:30pm Games Night: Casino/Games/Movies

May 28, 2023 Sunday
8:00 – 8:50am TKD for Dinosaurs (Z. Scott)
8:00 – 8:50am Hapkido (L. Maisonet)
8:00 – 8:50am Great intro class (McGhee)
8:00 – 8:50am Creating Your Culture (Thompson)

9:00 – 9:50am Kicking Mechanics (R. Lacy)
9:00 – 9:50am Tai Chi (Dewaine Chan)
9:00 – 9:50am Level 1 and 2 Instructor Skills (De_Berardinis)
9:00 – 9:50am Prospect to Student & 12 Month Plan (Peck)

10:00 – 10:50am Last Chance Sparring (Jimenez)
10:00 – 10:50am Krav Maga (Mischke & Monaghan)
10:00 – 10:50am the sparring video breakdown guys break down rounds in front of a live studio audience
10:00 – 10:50am Getting the most out of your schedule (Roundtable)

11:00 – 11:50am Closing Workout (Starnes)
12:00 – 1:00pm Closing Ceremony featuring the TournaMEnt
2:30 – 5:50pm Wrap Up Party

Mr. Will Anderson – 

Castle Hills Taekwondo America     

Father of 2, Chairman of the Board of Examiners, Owner of Castle Hills Taekwondo America, Senior Partner of ETS, meeting avoider, and very tired.

 

Mr. Sean Baxter –

Concord Taekwondo America

Sean Baxter started out in martial arts in 1984.  Something about hours of Black Belt Theatre on TV and Karate Kid (summer of 1984) prompted him to enroll.  11 years later, in 1995, an opportunity to open his own Taekwondo program was presented to him.  “Yes, sir!” was all it took, and Concord Taekwondo got its start.  2022 marks the 7th student of Mr. Baxter’s to open their own school.

Mr. Phuoc Dang –

Lake Norman Taekwondo

Master Phuoc Dang is a 7th degree Master. He started Taekwondo at the age of 13. In 1995 Master Dang opened a Taekwondo America club in Mooresville, NC. Five months later, with the help of a business partner, they turned the club into a full-time school (Lake Norman Taekwondo).

Mrs. Elizabeth Davis – 

Davis’ Taekwondo America

Flexibility and Mobility-Yoga based Stretching

I started my Taekwondo training in Bay Minette Alabama in 1985.  I have ran a Taekwondo School with my husband in Greensboro, North Carolina for 25 years and in McKinney Texas since 2015.  I am currently an 8^th Degree Black Belt, Master Level Instructor.  I love sharing my knowledge of Taekwondo and helping others be the best Martial Artist they can be.  

Mr. Warren Davis – 

Davis’ Taekwondo America

I started my Taekwondo training in Birmingham, Alabama in 1977 at a young age.  It became such a part of my life that I decided to open a full time Taekwondo school after college.  The year was 1989 and I opened my first location in Greensboro, North Carolina.  After 25 years of running the Taekwondo America school there with the help of my wife, we sold that school and moved to McKinney, Texas where we have been in operation since 2015.

Mr. Michael Dominach – 

Dominach’s Taekwondo Academy

7th Degree Master
TA President

I’ve been doing Taekwondo for 30 years and teaching for over 27. I’ve been doing it most my life, and it’s safe to say, I love it. And in addition to a lot of experience, I was fortunate to grow up in several different schools, under several different instructors. So I’ve been exposed to a variety of teaching styles, and different schools of thought

Mrs. Tiffany Franklin –

Mrs. Franklin began her official taekwondo career in 1999, but before that she spent thousands of hours at her parents’ taekwondo school and at taekwondo events listening and soaking in information.  All of that time spent listening and learning formed the basis of a passionate lifelong quest for knowledge, understanding, and the desire to share everything she learns with others.  Mrs. Franklin earned her 1st Degree Black Belt and instructor certification before taking a sabbatical from taekwondo to attend the University of Virginia, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2007.  These days Mrs. Franklin is the ultimate sender of emails (we promise you will almost never actually get one from Mrs. Lacy), liaison to the parents, newsletter creator, website designer, controller of the flow of information at the school, and ultimate ruler of the lobby.

Ms. Lenora Karnath –

Karnath’s Taekwondo America

This year the Killer Workout will be lead by Mrs. Lenora Karnath, 5th Degree Black Belt and School Owner in Suwanee, GA.  It’s been 27 years since she has started her training and has always looked at TKD as a lifestyle and not a “job”, which she feels pretty lucky to do something she enjoys doing.

 

Mr. Jason Kesler – 

Fishers Taekwondo America

Mr. Kesler is a 7th Degree Black belt. He started running his own taekwondo school in 1995 and now has 3 students running their own schools! Along with his black belt in taekwondo, Mr. Kesler is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. 

Mr. Bobby Lacy – 

Leander Taekwondo America

Learn from newly minted school owner Mr. Bobby Lacy from Austin, TX 

Mrs. Jenny Lacy – 

Valley Ranch Taekwondo America

After sitting and watching her husband for countless classes, Mrs. Lacy, the chief instructor at the Valley Ranch location, attended her first class in 1985. It was love at first kick! Within the first month of her training she won her first (of many) gold medals. She received her instructor certificate from the USTA in ’89 and earned her 3rd degree in ’91. A founding member of Taekwondo America, in addition to running the Valley Ranch she also runs the headquarters for the national organization. Her most recent accomplishment was receiving her 8th Degree Black Belt. These days Mrs. Lacy is the chief instructor, board breaking whisperer, ultimate ruler of the workout floor, and inventor of fun but semi-torturous workouts that the adult classes both love and fear.  When she’s not at the school Mrs. Lacy loves cheering for the Alabama Crimson Tide and spending time with her favorite dog, Caesar.  She likes spending time with her husband, Mr. Robby Lacy, three children, and two other dogs too.

Mr. Robby Lacy – 

Robby Lacy took his first taekwondo class in April 1977(one month before the first Star Wars film was released).  His uncle came across the school on his mail route and decided to bring his son and nephew in to try class.  Schools were not as fancy then, and the space had a tile workout floor and pegboard walls, but from the first class Mr. Lacy was hooked.  At the time a gallon of gas was $0.65, a loaf of bread was $0.36, and $22 per month for 2 years bought a lifetime taekwondo membership for 2 students.  As a Green Belt he met a Blue Belt named Warren Davis.  The two forged a friendship that has spanned four decades.    When he was a Red Belt Mr. Lacy competed in his first tournament.  At the time Regional Tournaments were held in the center aisles of local malls and competitors sparred without safety gear.  He cried when he took two third place medals (in a division with only 3 competitors).  He went on to compete in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, Michigan, North Carolina, and New Jersey.  At a tournament in Nebraska he saw Dale Craig break the world record for breaking concrete blocks before competing himself in a division with over 40 kids.  In 1979 he attended his first Black Belt Camp at the age of 12.  Before that he had four no changes in a row (and would go on to get three more over the course of his taekwondo career). Less than 3% of people who start a martial art achieve the rank of black belt, so he had already beaten the odds.  One afternoon shortly after camp he was sitting in the car with his mom at 4:10, excitedly waiting for his instructor to show up so the 4:00 class could start.  When she asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up and he replied a taekwondo school owner she told him no.  “Don’t you want to be a lawyer, policeman, fire fighter, or something like that?”.  “No”, he told her, “I want to own my own taekwondo school”.  Testing for 1st Degree he sparred the first female 3rd Degree in the ATA, Tammy Harvey.  She made him cry, and he failed testing.  At 15, he was a 3rd Degree at the same time as his instructor – then he had to wait six years to test for 4th Degree.  At his 4th Degree testing one of his rounds was against World Champion PKA Fighter Jerry “Golden Boy” Trimble.  While he waited for the time to pass before testing he opened a club in Bayou La Batre, Alabama (made famous by the shrimping scene in Forrest Gump).  He would later convince his wife to move 770 miles away to Roanoke, Virginia, where they did not know a soul, and open a school in January of 1991.  He was 24 years-old, and they would go on to own 7 schools either in full or partially, including 5 at one time.  The gamble would prove a great success, with the couple having over 90 people at their first lock-in and bringing over 200 competitors to their first tournament in Roanoke.  From their new home base Mr. Lacy would spar 8 rounds during his 5th Degree testing, go on to become one of the founding members of Taekwondo America in October 1993, and later be the first person to test for 6th Degree.  As luck would have it, 6th Degree was just the beginning because it takes longer to get from 6th Degree to 9th Degree than it does from White Belt to 6th Degree.  The Lacys spent 19 years teaching in Virginia, training thousands of students including 11 that went on to open their own taekwondo schools and 7 who achieved the rank of 6th Degree Master Black Belt or higher themselves.  Then, in April 2010 the Lacy family packed up and moved 1,100 miles to Frisco, Texas to share their taekwondo expertise with a new crowd.  Through numerous struggles and quite a few no changes he trained his three children to the ranks of Black Belt, and on September 21, 2018, he earned his 9th Degree Black Belt alongside his wife Jenny Lacy achieving her 8th Degree, marking the culmination of a combined 74 years of dedication to taekwondo.

Mr. Luis Maisonet –

I started Taekwondo in 1973 at the age of 10 years old  under GM Sergio Colon a Korean War Veteran and Green Beret. After I finished  High School  I went  to college.  During  this time  I trained with different instructors.  After college I started to work as School  teacher.  After  that I went to the military and served for 8 years.  After 8 year I moved to Florida.  I trained with WTF. I competed and won gold and silver medals. This School closed and move to South Florida.  Where I stated trained with Mr. Russ Adams then with Master Emmons. 

 

Jim McClellen – 

McClellen’s Taekwondo America

I have been doing Taekwondo since 1997 and am currently a 6th Degree Master.  I began my training after spending 6 months watching my daughter take classes at Mr. Perdue’s school in Westerville, OH.  Currently, I continue my training and teach daily (when not traveling for business) at my daughter’s school, McClellan’s Taekwondo Academy in Gahanna, OH.  All the students at the school call me Mr. M.

Mr. Brian McCoy –

McMoy’s Taekwondo America

I began taekwondo in 1983 in Huntsville, AL. I have trained in many cities including Birmingham, AL, Charlotte, NC, and Tuscaloosa, AL. I am currently a 7th degree black belt, the National Tournament Director of TA, and a senior partner. 

 

 

Mrs. Mary McCoy – 

McCoy’s Taekwondo America

Senior 4th Degree Black Belt

I started Taekwondo in January of 2008 at Dominach’s Taekwondo Academy.  At the time I was 30 years old and had not planned on starting a martial art but gave in to the urging of me girls who had just started themselves.  I quickly learned that this was definitely a sport/hobby/passion that I could easily see myself doing for many years to come.  When I had to move from the Independence area I found a school in Huntsville and continued to train with Steve Brister from 2009-2011.  In 2011 Brian McCoy opened up a school in Arab and I quickly started training with him and have continued ever since.  For me, Taekwondo started off as a whim of two young girls and turned into a life long journey that brought me my amazing husband and third daughter and a passion for teaching and encouraging others.  

Ms. Nicole McGhee – 

Noblesville Taekwondo America

 

 

  

Mr. Chris McKenzie – 

Mac’s Gym

K1/Glory Kickboxing: Learning Patterns

  With over 20 years of experience, Chris “Mac” McKenzie started his Martial Arts training at the age of 6 in Kissimmee, FL under Master John Emmons. He has since achieved the rank of 5th Dan and level 4 instructor through TaeKwonDo America. Mr. McKenzie is a 4x Grand National Champion and a 5x South East Regional Champion. He has been nationally ranked as one of the top ten Black Belts in TaeKwonDo America. After moving to Chicago in 2010, Coach Mac began his kickboxing and boxing training under the guidance of Anthony Marquez, Said Hatim, Oscar Bravo, and Raul Diaz. Throughout his years of gaining experience and learning under each instructor, Coach Mac has become versatile with knowledge of multiple styles of kickboxing. He is also a Heavyweight Kickboxer with a record of 2-1. When Mr. McKenzie is not competing, he is an active cornerman in the Chicagoland area; having trained with, cornered, and coached multiple amateur fighters. Among those fighters, three were champions.

 

Bill Mischke – 

Flower Mound Taekwondo

Bill Mischke’s Flower Mound Taekwondo 

 Bill Mischke and Brian Monaghan have been training in Krav Maga for 7 years.  They are each certified Expert Level Krav Maga instructors. They also hold instructor certifications in Israeli Combat Shooting, Active Shooter Response, and Israeli Knife Fighting.

Brian Monaghan –

Monghan’s Taekwondo America

Bill Mischke and Brian Monaghan have been training in Krav Maga for 7 years.  They are each certified Expert Level Krav Maga instructors. They also hold instructor certifications in Israeli Combat Shooting, Active Shooter Response, and Israeli Knife Fighting.

 

Mrs. Julee Peck – 

Raleigh Taekwondo America & Morrisville Taekwondo America

With over 40 years of experience in Taekwondo and 27 years in business, I have had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of students. Over the years, I have noticed that some students really struggle with sparring.  I have also lost students because they felt overwhelmed by the idea of sparring.

 

Mr. Zak Scott –

Richmond Taekwondo America

Mr. Scott started training 21 years ago under Mr. Lacy in Roanoke VA. He is now a 6th degree black and owner of Taekwondo America of Richmond. The Scott’s have run the Richmond school since 2007.

Mr. Jordan Slomovitz –

Slomovitz Taekwondo America

I’ve been studying the art of Taekwondo for the past 24 years earning my 6th Degree Master Rank. Along this journey i’ve crossed trained in Bojutsu to increase my long range tactics as well as Muay Tai to shore up my short range strategies. 

 

 

Ms. Amanda Sullivan – 

Plano Taekwondo America

I started Taekwondo in March 2008 and earned my first instructor collar in December 2010. My passion for Taekwondo has driven me to keep looking for the next opportunity in this great sport and judging tournaments is an inspiring way to keep learning and growing.  I am currently a 4th Degree Black Belt, and a member of the Tournament Committee, as well as the Taekwondo America Board of Examiners.

 

Ms. Mel Thompson –
Hilliard Taekwondo America
Ms. Thompson, owner of Hilliard Taekwondo Academy in Hilliard Ohio:

۰6th Degree Black Belt
۰School owner for 15+ years
۰Manages & trains numerous volunteer & staff
۰Degree in psychology

You don’t want to miss this seminar because:
We all need to follow Taekwondo America’s personal conduct policy, but this seminar will help you really understand:
۰WHO it applies to
۰WHAT are all the “but what if …” details
۰WHEN we need to follow the guidelines
۰WHERE the rules apply
۰WHY it’s so important to understand and follow this policy
۰HOW to avoid “accidentally” getting in trouble
Ms. Thompson takes what can seem like a boring or uncomfortable topic and makes it fun, interesting, and relevant to you!

Ms. Thompson, owner of Hilliard Taekwondo Academy in Hilliard Ohio:
۰6th Degree Black Belt, having experienced the expectations for each high rank  belt test
۰School owner for 15 years, preparing numerous students for successful high rank testing
۰Judge at high rank testing for over 10 years
۰Participates in the Board of Examiners that sets the expectations for high rank testing

 

Mr. Sean Wilson – 

Charlotte Taekwondo America

Why should you take class from me?

I started taekwondo at the age of 21 years old in 1988.

I earned my black belt in December 1989.

I am not a flexible person (literally or figuratively) and I don’t usually learn things on the first try, or the second!  As such, I learn through repetition, as do most people.

I don’t consider myself a very creative person, but I think that about myself because I cannot draw or paint.  As do most people, I learn things by relating new concepts to things I already know.  As such, I am able to help students “see things” by relating them to other things that they (probably) already know.

I get very excited when teaching to a group who is paying attention.  I get loud and my eyes get big. I start speaking fast and kind of lose myself in the moment.  I start sweating and get very hyper because I am excited that people are understanding what I am teaching.

I am a visual learner, so I teach using visual aids very often.  I use mnemonic devices to help me remember key points.

I have been teaching taekwondo since 1990, when my instructor asked me to start helping with classes.  I worked in customer service for 7 years before that, and at a bank for 4 years.  I was on the “extended learning” track in college, squeezing four years of college into seven.  I paid for most of it as I went, which certainly taught me perseverance, as well as fiscal responsibility.

I really enjoy teaching, especially at other people’s schools.  I have gone on vacation and taught taekwondo at Florida schools while my family went to Disney.  I have taught classes at the beach while my family was playing in the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Ms. Kasi Young – 

Fishers Taekwondo America

6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo 

Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

I started taekwondo in 1996 when I was 10 years old.

 

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