Hall of Presidents
Greg Sullivan
2008 – Present
Greg Sullivan began his martial arts career in 1986, training in Seido Karate while in college. Sensei Sullivan joined the Iona College Dojo in 1996, under Sensei Anthony Brenna, attaining his Black Belt in 2000, and his 3rd Dan in 2007. Sensei Sullivan trained in USA Goju under Sensei Ed Pierotti from 2002 to 2004. Sensei Sullivan trained in Kurai Ryu Jujitsu under Soke Joe Mandese from 1998 until his death in 2003, and continues to train in Goju and Jujitsu.
Chris Dammann
2005 – 2007
Chris Dammann began training in 1977, at the age of 7, in American Folkstyle Wrestling and Shotokan Karate-Do, continuing both through high school. Upon entering college, he began formal study in the Japanese Goju-Ryu Karate-Do system and continued to wrestle. Goju-Ryu would be the art he dedicated his time to throughout college. He would re-visit Shotokan and take on new arts in the years to follow. He now is a high school science teacher, varsity wrestling coach and holds advanced Black Belt degrees in multiple Japanese/Okinawan karate systems.
Joseph Rinaldi
2003 – 2004
Joe Rinaldi has been practicing Goju karate since 1981 and holds the rank of Rokudan in Goju and Godan in Ju Jitsu. Sensei Rinaldi is one of the chief instructors for the Northern Goju Triad, and is Dai Sensei of Gurai Te Jujitsu.
Thomas Maloney
2001 – 2002
Thomas Maloney has been practicing Goju karate since 1978 and holds the rank of Rokudan, 6th Dan Black Belt. Sensei Maloney is Dai Sensei for the Northern Goju Triad.
Andy Dowdell
2000
Andy Dowdell has been training since 1983, and is currently a 5th degree Black Belt in the Ryu Renshi-Dan Karate System. His style incorporates the hard style techniques of Shotokan, Goju Ryu, and Isshinryu karate with the soft style of Ju-Jitsu. He has been teaching as a black belt since 1987.
Rich Fiore
1999
Rich Fiore is a Rokudan in USA Goju, who originally started training in karate in 1968. He also spent several years studying the bo, and teaches the bo to his senior students, in addition to USA Goju karate. Sensei Fiore is one of the chief instructors for the Northern Goju Triad.
Sara Furlong
1997 – 1998
Sara Furlong began training in USA Goju Karate in 1973, attaining her Black Belt in 1982. Ms. Furlong presently holds the rank of Black Belt 6th degree, awarded May 2002 by Renshi Grady and Master Albert Gotay. Sensei Furlong taught USA Goju at the College of New Rochelle for several years, and was host to the NEMAC Spring Tournament.
Kevin Suggs
1994 – 1996
Kevin Suggs began his journey in the martial arts in the fall of 1973, receiving instruction with Sensei Ron Henderson, in Tae Kwon Do, to intermediate level. He also studied with Sifu ‘Lucky’ Gonzalez in Wing Chun Gung Fu, Sifu Ruban Morales in the Yin Moy Gung Fu system, and Pete “Khalef” Williams in Chinese Goju. Kevin joined Sensei William Grady of USA Goju in 1979. Mr. Suggs presently holds the rank of Black Belt 5th degree, awarded May 1999 by Renshi Grady and Master Albert Gotay.
Edward Pierotti
1991 – 1993
Ed Pierotti began training in judo in 1974, and USA Goju under Sensei William Grady in 1977, attaining his Black Belt in 1984. Sensei Pierotti began teaching at the Port Chester YMCA in 1985, and taught USA Goju at the White Plains YMCA from 1990 to 2006. Mr. Pierotti presently holds the rank of Black Belt 5th degree, awarded May 1999 by Renshi Grady and Master Albert Gotay.
Art St Armand
1989 – 1990
Art St. Armand is a 6th Dan Black Belt and Certified Master Instructor of the WORLD TRADITIONAL HAPKIDO FEDERATION Under Grandmaster DR. JUNG HWAN PARK, President.
Kirby Marshall, NEMAC Founder (No picture available)
1987 – 1988
Mr. Kirby Marshall started Greenwich Kenpo Karate in February of 1982. Mr. Marshall, a second degree Black Belt at the time, had moved to Connecticut from California and was looking for a place to train. Unfortunately there was no Kenpo in this area, so he decided to open his own school.
Jose Guzman, NEMAC Founder
1985 – 1986
Kyoshi Jose Guzman, 8th Dan, with over 40 years of martial arts experience, developed Ryu Renshi-Dan karate based on his study of classical Karate systems, including Shotokan under Sensei Rei Naiyomiya, Goju-Ryu, Isshinryu and Shorin-Ryu under Hanshi Dan Sawyer. Additionally Kyoshi Guzman has integrated the teachings of Shihan Harold Glackin (Goshindo Jujitsu) thus making RR-D a truly eclectic system. Kyoshi continues to further his Martial Arts training under the tutelage of Grand Masters Dan Sawyer, Tony Troche, Rudy Crosswell and Rocky Ryan.
William Grady, NEMAC Founder
1980 – 1984
Bill Grady began training in USA Goju Karate in 1967 under system founder Peter Urban and Master Al Gotay. Kyoshi Grady is credited with starting USA Goju dojos at multiple locations in New Rochelle, White Plains and Port Chester, NY. His direct Black Belt students number in the dozens, and they have propogated over 100 USA Goju Black Belts during Sensei Grady’s 40+ year karate career. Following Master Urbans passing in 2004, Kyoshi Grady has served as one of presiding Master Al Gotay’s “right hands”, and was awarded his 8th Dan Black Belt in May 2007.