Our instructors are trained to teach practical self-defense to each student according to his or her unique needs and learning styles.
From smaller practice rooms for less distraction during groups to our new fitness room, our facility is designed to help you make the most of your training. Members can drop in anytime during school hours to train, practice, work out, or ask questions.
A.K.E.A. Management Team
Mr. Glenn HarmaningA.K.E.A. Founderand Head InstructorMr. Harmaning has been actively involved in the martial arts for over 40 years. He has worked as a professional educator for over 32 years and brings that experience to the teaching of martial arts and training instructors. He originally started in 1968 in Okinawan Karate but his life was changed when his instructor introduced him to Tobosa’s Kaji-Kumi art of self-defense and the Filipino martial arts of Kali and Escrima. Master Raymond Tobosa became his primary instructor until 1987. He holds the rank of: Hachichidan (8th degree) with the title of Shihan with Midori Yama Budokai from Hanshi Ken Baker. Rokudan (6th degree) in American Kempo Karate and Weapons from Shihan Crayton Moss and Professor Bill Marron. Rokudan (6th degree) in American International Karate Kung-Fu Schools of Self Defense from Dr. John Latourette. Godan (5th degree) in Kaji-Kumi and Eagle rank in Kali-Escrima from Master Raymond Tobosa. Shodan (1st degree) in Hawaiian Kenpo. |
Mr. Craig MooreDirector of Curriculum Development and Implementationand Senior InstructorMr. Moore started training at A.K.E.A. in June, 1994, and started teaching later that same year. He had previously trained in Tae Kwon Do. He enjoys seeing students make a connection or master a skill that was previous unknown to them. His passion is the further exploration and expansion of the AKEA’s Escrima heritage, especially the knife and empty hand aspects of the Escrima training. He holds the rank of: Yondan (4th degree) with title of Sensei in the A.K.E.A. Nidan (2nd degree) in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
Dr. Tyson BaileySenior InstructorDr. Bailey began training at the A.K.E.A. in 1997 and became an instructor in 1999. Teaching others to follow the warrior path has been one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences of his life. Dr. Bailey is currently helping Shihan Moss with the American Kempo Karate and Weapons books, which is one of his passions at the school. He holds the rank of: Yondan (4th degree) with title of Sensei in the A.K.E.A. Yondan (4th degree) in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
Mrs. Cindy BarnetteOperations Managerand Senior InstructorMrs. Barnette has been training at the A.K.E.A. since 2000 and has been an instructor since 2003. She accepted the position of Operations Manager in 2008. Mrs. Barnette enjoys watching all students grow more confident as they learn new skills, but her real passion is helping women become warriors. She holds the rank of: Nidan (2nd degree) in the A.K.E.A. Nidan (2nd degree) in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
Your Instructors
Mr. Elliott AllenMr. Allen and his family started training at the A.K.E.A. in November 2011. He chose the A.K.E.A. for his and his family’s Martial Arts training after viewing several schools in the area. What inspired him most about the program was its focus on mental discipline and mental training. In addition, the school had a mature and structured program on how to approach life via the martial arts. Mr. Allen enjoys the self-defense applications and the many tools and skills the A.K.E.A. has to offer. As one learns these skills and tools, they find themselves embarked on a remarkable journey of self-awareness and growth. Mr. Allen has trained in two different disciplines throughout his life. He studied judo as a youth and later studied San Chuan Do (Chinese Boxing) where he ranked as a Senior Student. After a pause from corporate life, Mr. Allen is working on integrating his corporate discipline alongside his mental training to continue his learning and teaching of the martial arts. Mr. Allen holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A. and Yellow Belt in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
Mrs. Kathy BrengleLittle Dragons AdministratorMrs. Brengle has been part of the A.K.E.A. family since 2010. She was awarded the title of Instructor of the Year in 2016, and it will only take you a moment of watching her teach to understand why. She has a knack for combining fun and high energy while also teaching excellent skill and discipline. She is the administrator of the Little Dragons Program and the lead instructor for Kids Kobudo Camp. While she enjoys teaching children and seeing their confidence soar, she also sets the bar high and is an excellent model for adult students. She holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A. and Green Belt in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
![]() Mrs. Askin GallentineMrs. Gallentine first became part of the A.K.E.A. family when her oldest daughter trained in 2011. She saw such progress and personal growth in her daughter, she knew the A.K.E.A. was also the right place for her son to train when he was ready. Mrs. Gallentine began training in the martial arts after suffering a painful loss. She found training helped to restore her hope, confidence, dignity, and strength. She believes the blood, sweat, and tears that go into training is small price to pay compared to the vast amount of gain in return. She felt it was time to share her knowledge and experience with others, and thus applied for the position of Little Dragons Instructor in the Fall of 2017. “I find it a great honor to be a role model for these children, and I believe it is I who has received the greatest gift in teaching them. They are incredible, inspiring, determined, creative, compassionate, open-minded, and teachable. They keep me in the moment and grounded, smiling more than I’m supposed to, and laughing as well. Watching these students overcome challenges and refuse defeat is most amazing. I will testify that learning and growing is everlasting and will always remain priceless.” Mrs. Gallentine holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A. |
![]() Mr. Josh JordanSenior InstructorMr. Jordan started training at the A.K.E.A. in 1996 and started teaching in 1997. He trained previously in Shotokan Karate. With a background in fitness and nutrition, he enjoys helping students reach their personal goal of losing fat or gaining muscle, while learning self defense. He is committed to teaching the physical skills of martial arts while applying attitude-shaping mental training aimed at bringing out the best character and physical potential in each student. He is a student first, always looking to advance his own martial arts and educational knowledge, to become an even more effective instructor. He holds the rank of Sandan (3rd degree) with title of Sensei in the A.K.E.A. and Sandan (3rd degree) in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
![]() Mr. Colin RemillardSenior InstructorMr.Remillard started training at the A.K.E.A. in 2006 and started teaching in 2008. He trained previously in silat and kali, and has been training in jiu-jitsu for over 4 years. He is using his jiu-jitsu training to design the A.K.E.A. ground fighting curriculum. Mr. Remillard holds a master’s degree in human movement from AT Still University and has been working in the fitness industry as a strength coach and personal trainer for 16 years. He is certified as a Level 2 Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition. Check out his website on online training and nutrition coaching. He holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree) in the A.K.E.A., Shodan (1st degree) in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons, and Shodan (1st degree) in Yen Ming Shou Kuai. |
![]() Mr. David SwetzMr. Swetz started training with the A.K.E.A. in 1998. He resumed his training in 2012 after a hiatus and became an instructor in 2015. His previous experience began with Okinawan Shotokan which inspired him to study a variety of other styles, including Tae Kwon Do and Aikido. He most enjoys the weapons training, specifically knife fighting and the Okinawan weapons, like the sai, kama and bo staff. Mr. Swetz believes in each person’s human right to self-defense, and he works toward building student confidence, so that they can manage and avoid conflict when possible and handle themselves with skill when needed. Self defense is multi-layered and not all encounters require the same amount of force. Mr. Swetz’s store, County Line Shooting Sports located in McKenna, Washington, offers a variety of choices from less-than-lethal options like pepper spray, stun guns and Tazers to more traditional self-defense items like firearms, knives, and more. He holds the rank of Nidan (2nd degree) in the A.K.E.A. and Blue Belt in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
Mr. Matthew TiptonMr. Tipton comes to the A.K.E.A. with previous martial arts experience, including no gi Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. He was also a collegiate wrestler. As a middle school science teacher and wrestling coach, he has years of experience in helping students from all walks of life and ability levels master complex subjects. He enjoys the technical aspects of martial arts, and his patience is almost limitless. If you love asking “why” and don’t like “because I said so!” then Mr. Tipton may be the perfect fit for you. If you want an easy time, then look elsewhere; if you want to excel, then look no further than Mr. Tipton. He holds the rank of Red Belt in the A.K.E.A.and Yellow Belt in the American Kempo Karate and Weapons. |
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Instructor Portraits by Silent Knight Productions. (Used With Permission)