"We do not teach fighting - we do teach how to avoid fighting; however we are prepared should we have no choice but to fight."
-Grandmaster Raymond P. Arndt
Grandmaster Raymond P. Arndt
Founder / President
Grandmaster Arndt is a 10th Degree Black Belt and is the Founder and President of the American Kang Duk Won Association. His training and experience spans over half a century in several martial art styles. Beginning his martial art training in Okinawa in 1954, Grandmaster Arndt has devoted his life to pursuing knowledge in the martial arts. In 1969, after earning his black belt in both Tae Kwon Do and Kang Duk Won in Seoul, South Korea, he began teaching Kang Duk Won classes in Watertown, New York which led to the development of the American Kang Duk Won Association. Since that time, the American Kang Duk Won Association has achieved international recognition for its diligent pursuit of professionalism and tradition in the martial arts. With Grandmaster Arndt’s wisdom and guidance, American Kang Duk Won will continue to enhance the lives of all students who pursue knowledge in this martial art.
Master Daniel M. Borger
Master Instructor / Senior Vice President
Master Borger is a 9th Degree Black Belt and Senior Master Instructor with the American Kang Duk Won Association. Master Borger began training directly under Grandmaster Arndt in 1980. Master Borger has made significant contributions to the AKDWA which include the co-development of Quad Training (4-Point Sparring) with Grandmaster Arndt, the establishment of Family Night, the formation of the Women’s Self-Defense Program and the development of the Junior Black Belt Program.
Christopher M. Cicio
Master Instructor / Vice-President
Master Cicio is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor. Master Cicio began training under Master Borger in 1985. Master Cicio’s contributions to AKDWA include the co-development of 1-step sparring techniques 11-20 with Grandmaster Arndt, the development of the Florida Karate Camp, the development of a ‘Methods of Instruction’ training program for instructors and assistant instructors, the development of the Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Program and the co-development of the Karate Cubs Program.
Mark F. Gabel
Director
Mr. Gabel is a 5th Degree Black Belt and a member of the board of directors for the American Kang Duk Won Association. Mr. Gabel began his martial art training in 1984 in upstate New York and earned the rank of black belt in 1987. Several years after earning black belt, Mr. Gabel earned the title of Senior Instructor. Mr. Gabel moved to Florida and continued his training under Master Borger. Mr. Gabel was promoted to Director in 2004.
Charlene Nichols
Director
Mrs. Nichols is a 4th Degree Black Belt and a member of the board of directors for the American Kang Duk Won Association. Mrs. Nichols began her martial art training in 1985 under Master Borger. She earned the rank of black belt in 1988 and was one of the first AKDWA black belts promoted under 18 years of age. Mrs. Nichols earned the position of Senior Instructor and eventually Chief Instructor in 2003. Mrs. Nichols was promoted to Director in 2006.
Andrea Gregory-Pooley
Director
Mrs. Pooley is a 4th Degree Black Belt and a member of the board of directors for the American Kang Duk Won Association. Mrs. Pooley began her martial arts training in 1993 with the Vero Beach Karate Association under Master Bill Willis. She began training with Master Chris Cicio at the Port St. Lucie, FL dojang in August of that year. Mrs. Pooley earned her Black Belt in 1997 and was promoted to Senior Instructor in 2006. Mrs. Pooley was promoted to Director in 2007.
CHIEF INSTRUCTORS
Mrs. Deborah L. Von Cannon
Mrs. Sally A. Hurley
BLACK BELT INSTRUCTORS
Mr. Daniel K. Whittington
Miss Tiffany M. Barrett
Mr. Martin E. Von Cannon
Mr. Jason L. Lammers
Mrs. Constance Malone
Mr. William Mahneke
Mr. Steve Devlin
BLACK BELT ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Mr. Tony Ragonesi