Shihan Tom Wilder (Assistant Chief Instructor)
I began my martial arts study at age 35 with an effort to get in better shape. I started with Tae Kwon Do and Aikido classes and trained for just over a year. I soon realized that practicing Aikido was what I was really looking for and ended up changing schools. I have been practicing here with Shihan Fen for the past 10 years and am currently ranked Yondan (4th degree black belt).
Sensei Terry Joyner
I started my Martial Arts career in 1972 at the Summer Park Recreation Center in East Point, GA under the tutelage of Sensei Joe Eidson. I was promoted to Shodan in Shito-Ryu in 1978, then progressed to the rank of Yondan (4th Degree) i nearly 1995. My first introduction to Aikido came in 1978 at Georgia State University. While I did not continue my study at that time, I later rediscovered Aikido in Douglasville, GA in 1991. I began my training with Shihan Fen in early 1992 and continued teaching Karate and Aikido in Douglasville and Austell until 1995. I was promoted to Shodan in 1995, Nidan in 1997, Sandan in 2001, Yondan in 2007.
Sensei Jim McCarty
My first greatest fortune was to discover this dojo seven years ago. I simply spotted the dojo when I was delivering something for the company I was working for at that time. That next Tuesday I started classes. I received my Shodan after 4 years of hard work and discipline (the two things I stress and work towards in every class). Even now I don't think of myself as a Nidan (2nd degree black belt). I'm just another beginner, who works hard and shares the basics of Aikido for practical application. (Promoted to Sandan, 3rd degree black belt, in 2005).
Sensei Steve Staples
I have studied Aikido for 6 years. I started my martial arts training with a Southern Baptist Marine father, studied Tae Kwan Do in college, dabbled in Wing Chung and Ninjitsu, but it was like I was always looking fro Aikido and didn’t know it until I found it. It definitely changed my life for the better. (Promoted to Sandan, 3rd degree black belt, in 2004).