The Staff of AMAA

     Master Instructor/President-  Sam Hunter

Mr. Hunter is a 28 year veteran of the martial arts and holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do.  In addition, Mr. Hunter also holds Dan (blackbelt) ranks in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Jujitsu, as well as Kung Fu. Additionally, Mr. Hunter is a licensed Tactical Master Instructor for CDT and LRT.   Mr. Hunter began his martial arts training at the age of 10 in Nashville Tennessee under the direction of Mike Green.  During his tenure with Mr. Green, Mr. Hunter attained the rank of 1st Degree blackbelt as well as won hundreds of open karate tournaments.

     Upon graduation from high school, Mr. Hunter joined the U.S. Army as a member of the elite 82nd Airborne Division.  During his time at Ft. Bragg, N.C.  Hunter continued his training with Mr. James Johnson ( co-author of the Special Forces Hand to Hand Combat Manual) as well as assisted Mr. Johnson in instructing many of the fabled "Green Berets".  It was also during this time that Mr. Hunter served our country in Operation Desert Shield/Storm.  For his meritorious service, Mr. Hunter was awarded the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

     After completing his military obligation, Mr. Hunter moved to Kentucky and pursued at Bachelors Degree as well as an Army Officer Commission at Western Kentucky University.  It was during this time that American Martial Arts Academy was born.  Also during this time Mr. Hunter began training with Master Greg Lee and Master Richard Hackworth in various Korean arts.  In 1995 Mr. Hunter graduated college and accepted an Army Reserve commission where he now serves as a Major in the U.S. Army Reserves.

     American Martial Arts Academy is a charter member of Black Belt Schools of America.  BBSA is an organization of over 1,000 schools dedicated to teaching mental benefits through the use of physical skills.  As a member of this organization, Mr. Hunter and his students have had the opportunity to train with some of the best and most recognized martial artists in the world.

     In a short period of time, Mr. Hunter and his staff have built one of the largest and most successful schools in Kentucky.  In 1998 AMAA was recognized by the World Head of Family Sokeship Counsel as the National School of the Year.  In 2000 Mr. Hunter was awarded the prestigious Master Instructor of the Year Award by the same organization as well as one of the Top "50" schools Nationwide 3 times by the Black Belt Schools of America.

     For the past seven years Mr. Hunter has served as an assistant coach for the United States Karate Team in competitions with the WKA, and will again this year.

Currently, Mr. Hunter is a member of the following associations and professional organizations:

  • Black Belt Schools of America

  • National Association of Professional Martial Artists

  • Martial Arts Industry Association

  • Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association

  • Korea Hapkido Federation

  • Tactical Master Instructor, CDT Training

  • Tactics Instructor, Last Resort Tactics

  • ACMA Certified Instructor

     Assistant Instructor/Program Director-  Jo Jessie

     Ms. Jessie is a 12 year veteran of AMAA.  Ms. Jessie began her training at AMAA in 1997, however prior to that time she was a supportive parent of her son Brandon who is also a blackbelt at the school.  During Jo's tenure at AMAA she has received many awards and accolades as a martial artist.  Some of these include:

  • Two-time Triple Crown Winner in RSKC Competition                                                          

  • NASKA rated competitor multiple times

  • 2007 Black Belt Schools International Woman of the Year

  • ACMA Certified Kardio Kickboxing Instructor thru the Cooper Institute

In addition to teaching, Ms. Jessie is responsible for enrollments, student records, and in-house sales.

 

     After School Program Director- Melanie Gerber

     Mrs. Gerber has been employed and responsible for the After School Program at AMAA for the past two years.  Originally from Michigan, Mrs. Gerber relocated to the area due to her husband's job.  In addition to working at AMAA, Mrs Gerber is a very active member of the Park City PTA.

 

 

 

 

Brazillian Jujitsu Instructor/ Asst. MMA Coach- Brian Holmes

AMAA welcomes our newest member to the team!  Some of Mr. Holmes accomplishments include:

Staff Sergeant-U.S. Army Reserves
Level 2 Instructor Modern Army Combatives Program
6-1 Mixed Martial Arts record Current 145lb title holder for the Revolution Fight League (RFL)
BJJ Blue Belt
Current High School Wrestling coach for St. Xavier High School (Louisville, KY)
Ohio Grappling Open 1st Place winner
EGO Grappling Open 1st Place winner
Indiana Grappling Open 3rd place winner

 

 

 

 
 

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