Instructors
Willy Steele
8th Degree Black Belt and 1st Generation Ed Parker Black Belt
Master Willy Steele began studying Kenpo in 1971 in San Diego , California . In 1974, along with Jeff English and Dan Laxson, he opened up Chinese Kenpo Karate, located in La Mesa , Ca. The school would later become an Ed Parker’s Kenpo Karate School and this is where he met and became a personal student of Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker. After receiving his Black Belt from the International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA) in 1976, Master Steele went out into the world to practice and teach the art. During the intervening years, he personally taught at various Ed Parker schools, including El Cajon , Lemon Grove, and Solana Beach , California . He remained a personal student of Senior Grandmaster Parker, studying and staying close to him until his death in December 1990. During that time, he was personally promoted to 2nd, 3rd and 4th Degree Black Belt with Senior Grandmaster Edmund K. Parker as his “Instructor”. Master Steele is listed as a 1st Generation Black Belt on Senior Grandmaster Parker’s Family Tree.
Master Steele was also very involved with Grandmaster Dave Hebler, who he met in 1974, and in the Original American Kenpo Karate Association (OAKKA). He held the office of Secretary for the OAKKA and served as a National Director as well. He is currently the Senior Head Instructor at American Family Kenpo in La Mesa , California and continues to enjoy being involved in the on going evolution of American Kenpo. In 2006 Master Steele was inducted into “The Masters Hall of Fame” and “The World Amateur Martial Arts International Federation”. Master Steele currently holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt.
For over 12 years, Master Steele worked full time for Personalized Protection Services in the field of Executive Protection Services, spending eight of those years as a personal body guard for members of the Saudi Royal Family. Those who know Master Steele are well aware of the additional “Street” experience and knowledge that he brings to the table. His knowledge of real life scenarios and executive protection is well documented, and his exceptional ability to teach and explain effective self defense to students and clients makes him a very sought after as a teacher. His popular seminar involving the master key moves in Kenpo and information regarding SGM Parker’s view’s on how he wanted “his” art taught are available. A few of the seminars are: “Kenpo in the 70’s,” “Basic and How to use Them”, “Breaking Down Techniques” and “Do You Really Know What your Doing?”
Gary Wilson
6th Degree Black Belt and 2nd Generation Ed Parker Black Belt
Mr. Wilson began his studies of Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate in January 1986, at Lemon Grove Kenpo Karate. Under the direct supervision of Darby Lee Darrow, a 4th degree Kenpo Black belt in the Ed Parker's system.
He has also studied such styles as Aikido, and Brazilian Jujutsu for approximately four years and several other systems. He achieved his first-degree black belt on June 12, 1993, from the International Kenpo Karate Association under the direction of Darby Lee Darrow.
In 1994, Mr. Wilson, started a company called California Self-Defense Courses, where he taught women's self defense. Mr. Wilson taught these courses all over southern California until December 1997.
Mr. Wilson opened his first commercial karate school on September 15,1997 called American Family Kenpo Karate, located at 6788 University Avenue in San Diego , where he taught American Kenpo Karate and Self-Defense courses and seminars to men, women and children. He also has had private lessons for men, women & children at their businesses, churches and homes.
In July 1996, Mr. Wilson began studying directly under Professor Willy Steele, a first generation Ed Parker Kenpo Black Belt. Subsequently, Professor Willy Steele promoted him to 5th degree Black belt in 2002.
In October 2004, Mr. Wilson moved his school to a much larger facility a few blocks down the street at 6525 University Avenue . Mr. Wilson was promoted to 6 th degree black belt by 8 th degree black belt, Senior Professor Willy Steele on May 20,2006.
6 th degree Professor Gary Wilson is a second generation Ed Parker black belt. He feels that martial arts is not just a hobby or a business; it is a way of life to which he takes very seriously.
Instructor Robert Hisquierdo
4th Degree Black Belt and 2nd Generation Ed Parker Black Belt
Born 6-21-1944. Began training in Mr. Ed Parker's Kenpo karate in 1982 under Master Darby Lee Darrow.
1st degree black - 1989
2nd degree black - 1990
3rd degree - 2003- promoted by Mr. Gary Wilson
4th degree - May 20, 2006
Instructor Joeseph Marilou
3rd Degree Black Belt and 2nd Generation Ed Parker Black Belt
Instructor Patrick Binarao
1st Brown Belt
In 1993 I was fortunate to enroll in Kenpo Karate. The old studio was in Broadway in Lemon Grove . I was a young 8 year old, who the year before was in soccer, running around kicking a ball. When I first started, I was really nervous around black belts and me being a white belt, so white that my belt matched my Gi. I was under the guidance of some very esteemed instructors like Mr. Darrow, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Steele, Mr. Wilhelm, Mr. Arensberg, and others.
When I received my yellow belt a few months later, I was excited this place has taught me a lot as in self defense and to control my anger. As the years progressed the more focus I have become. I progressed through the ranks Orange , Purple, Blue, and Green. Then on November 25, 1997 the old studio closed.
But Mr. Wilson had just a few months before opened a new studio not that far away in San Diego , on University Ave called "American Family Kenpo Karate." That is where I have trained since, receiving my 3rd Brown and 2nd Brown. Promoted to 1st Brown on May 20, 2006 and training hard to soon achieve my Black belt. I plan to study under Mr. Wilson for a very long time.
Instructor Tom Arensberg
2nd Brown Belt
Instructor Richard Mange
2nd Brown Belt
Instructor Tony Goodwin
3rd Brown Belt
As a child, Tony Goodwin grew up wanting to be just like Bruce Lee. Ever since he was a child Tony has wanted to take some form of martial arts. When his daughter, Sky, started taking Kenpo karate in 1995, he recognized it as the perfect opportunity to finally study the art. In 1997, when he realized how much Sky was enjoying the art, he decided to also join. Tony has been in the art of Kenpo karate for 7 years now and has achieved his 3rd degree brown belt. "I enjoy Kenpo because it's a quick and devastating art", Tony says. He hopes to become a black belt and to continue studying the art of Kenpo karate for many more years to come.
Adult Jr. Instructors
Sky Goodwin
Green Belt
Steven
Blue Belt
Child Jr. Instructors
Reyna Hisquierdo
Blue Belt
Matthew Tolliver
Purple Belt
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