Our Instructors & Staff Members

Master J Douglas  (5th Degree - Master)  Master J started Taekwondo and Judo in Australia in 1970. His training continued through different schools in Texas and Virginia. On July 1, 1997, he opened Tiger Claw. He is certified internationally with Kukkiwon and nationally with the United States National Taekwondo Federation. He is also a Certified Tactical Master Instructor in CDT. In early 2007 he was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Fame. His vision is to create a school with purer, stronger martial artists who truly earn each rank. 5th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo 4th Degree Black Belt Koryo Gumdo Director for State of Virginia for the USNTF CDT Tactical Master Instructor Advanced Cert. in Executive Protection (ITC) 2005 Royal Kill (movie), Sword Master Consultant, Stunt Team, and Police Officer #4 2007 Hall of Fame - Excellence in Teaching 2007 Instructor of the Year (NSMA)

Master Juli Bowman  (4th Degree - Master Instructor)  Master Juli started practicing Taekwondo in November, 1992, and joined Tiger Claw in 1997. She shares Master J's passion for martial arts and Tiger Claw vision, teaching, coaching, and working behind the scenes to make Tiger Claw a success. She enjoys teaching high-energy, technical, yet fun classes to develop well-rounded martial artists who strive for continuous improvement and learning. In partnership with Master J, she helps design and coordinate our energetic programs. 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Purple Belt Koryo Gumdo Team Extreme Director Authorized Red Cross Instructor CDT Certified 2007 TC Master's Award MBA

Master Susan Dombrowski  (4th Degree - Master Instructor) Susan is a 4th Dan Black Belt and joined Tiger Claw with her son and her daughter in 2002. Susan is very involved with the school. You see her teach a lot with our classes, but she is also active with the testing process for Tiger Claw to keep us at our best. To train with Susan is to train with the pure spirit of the martial arts. Like so many of our instructors, parenting is a priority. We thank her family for continuing to share her with us! 4th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Purple Belt Koryo Gumdo CDT Certified Tiger Claw 2008 Master's Award MMA

Christy Borbidge  (3rd Degree - Instructor)  Christy earned up to her 3rd Dan black belt from Tiger Claw and is now a full time staff member of Taekwondo. You can expect to walk away with a good sweat when Ms. Christy is leading the class. When Christy is not at the school you can find her running races all over the country or working in her commercial arts company. 3rd Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Blue Belt Koryo Gumdo CDT Certified USNTF International Medalist in Forms BA

Ray Renner  (3rd Degree - Instructor) Ray is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and in our Koryo Gumdo program. Before coming to Tiger Claw, Ray has studied in five different martial arts. Ray has attended several tournaments and has won medals in Taekwondo forms, Gumdo forms and Gumdo sparring. Including a Koryo Gumdo Grand Champion in 2006! He is a great instructor in both our sword and taekwondo programs. He is now a proud father of TWO black belts kids… and one more on their path. 3rd Degree Black Belt Taekwondo 3rd Degree Black Belt Koryo Gumdo CDT Certified Koryo Gumdo Nationals Grand Champion USNTF International Medalist in Taekwondo and Koryo Gumdo

Curtiss Brown  (2nd Degree - Instructor) Curtiss was one of our first students of Tiger Claw Taekwondo. His passion and spirit shines through his teaching skills. You can always count on a very creative workout when Curtiss is in the front of class. We are very fortunate to have him in our staff. His full time job is in Real Estate (so you know who to call when you are looking for a house!) and he also “gets jiggy wit it” with his DJ company. 2nd Degree Black Belt Taekwondo CDT Certified

Dennis Thornton  (2nd Degree - Instructor) When Dennis is not flying a commercial airliner as a First Officer with American Airlines or protecting our skies as a Lt. Col. with the United States Air Force, he can be found kicking at Tiger Claw. You will find him or one of his two talented sons in almost every class. He is a talented and motivational instructor. He enjoys teaching all levels ... and he's even brave enough to teach Little Tigers!

Daniel Allen  (2nd Degree - Instructor) Daniel is a very energetic instructor and someone the students look up to. He is the oldest of four Allen boys that all workout with Tiger Claw. Daniel can be seen around town performing with Team Extreme. He has recently started training in our Koryo Gumdo Program. Daniel has medaled in numerous State Championships in both Taekwondo and Gumdo. Team Extreme Orange Belt Koryo Gumdo CDT Certified

Michael Tinkham  (3rd Degree - Junior Staff Instructor) Michael has trained with Tiger Claw longer than any other kid, over 11 years now. He is now a college students at George Mason University and will be attending classes during the holidays. Best of luck to our newest college student. Black Belt Koryo Gumdo Team Extreme

Mary Samios  (After School Coordinator) Mary has worked with our After School Program for years now and really loves the kids. She is always coming up with new programs and activities to stretch and challenge the mind and body. A mother of three, Jennifer takes Taekwondo and is on the Demo Team, Jack is sword swinger in Koryo Gumdo, and Lilly is simply missing out. She is a kind and gentle leader of our children.

Caleb Allen  (2nd Degree Black Belt - Junior Staff Instructor) Caleb always has a smile. The other kids love to train with this energetic instructor. He can be found performing with Team Extreme. The BoStaff perfomance he does with his brother is amazing. If you ever get a chance to see it, you'll see what we mean! Team Extreme

Matthew Allen  (1st Degree - Junior Staff Instructor) Matthew is the latest of the Allen brothers to join our staff. Like his two other brothers, he is on Team Extreme. Team Extreme

James White  (2nd Degree - Junior Staff Instructor) James is our newest to join our staff. He is a great student who translates that into his instruction. You can see his amazing talent at any of our Team Extreme performances! Team Extreme

Benitha Kalesan  (Evening Office Manager)  Benitha manages Tiger Claw's evening classes. She's available for questions, payments, and pro-shop sales anytime during those classes. She is the mother of one of our Red Belts, Aditya, who is also part of Team Extreme!

Alyson Linville  (Evening Office Manager) Alyson manages some of Tiger Claw's evening classes. She's available for questions, payments, and pro-shop sales anytime during those classes. She is the mother of one of our black belts, Ian, and her youngest son, Max, is working his way up to be a black belt with his brother. And thanks to her husband, we keep our computers connected to each other and the internet.

Heidi Renner  (Evening Office Manager) Heidi manages some of our Tiger Claw's evening classes. She's available for questions, payments, and pro-shop sales anytime during those classes. She is the mother of Kate, Emma and Matthew. And is the boss of one of our staff instructors ... Ray!

Grand Master Dr. Duk Gun Kwon  (9th Degree Grand Master) Dr. Kwon is the founder of International Martial Arts Education Program, World Traditional Hapkido Alliance, World Koryo Gumdo Association, Taekwondo Council, and United States National Taekwondo Federation. He has worked many years with the USTU and the Olympic Teams and a Delegate, Team Head and Team Manager since 1983. Dr. Kwon has had many positions through the years. In 1988 he was the Coordinator for the USTU Olympic Team in the Seoul, Korea Olympics. From 1998 to 2002, Dr. Kwon was the Chairman of Sport for all Committees in WTF. In 2003 he was the Advisor to the World Taekwondo Federation. In 2008 he was a Member of the International Advisory for Kukkiwon. These are just a few of the accomplishments of this great man … our Grand Master’s Grand Master! 9th Dan Black Belt, Hapkido 9th Dan Black Belt Taekwondo Founder of United States National Taekwondo Federation Graduated Young Nam University

Grand Master Joe Giampietro  (8th Degree Black Belt Grand Master) Grandmaster Joe Giampietro is a 40 year veteran of the martial arts and has been a very successful competitor and demonstrator as well as one of the most respected Master Instructors in this country. His ability to relay complicated techniques to his students is a key factor in their ability to excel in local, national and international competitions. He has trained and taught in the USA and Asia. He is one of only a few US instructors to operate Martial Arts Schools in Okinawa, Japan. He is Master J’s Grand Master. 8th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo 8th Degree Black Belt Koryo Kumdo Director for the USNTF USNTF Instructor of the Year 2001

Grand Master J. P. Woods  (7th Degree Black Belt) He and his wife, Janice, have been operating their schools in since 1989, in Palentine, IL. Master Wood has been training in Taekwondo since 1970 and attributes his success, personally and professionally through the physical and mental development that Taekwondo gave him. He he is Master J’s Grand Master in Koryo Gumdo. 7th Degree Black Belt Taekwondo Board of Directors – USNTF 6th Degree Black Belt Koryo Gumdo Chairman of the World Koryo Gumdo Association

For more information about the Tiger Claw Taekwondo & Personal Safety Center staff or training programs, please contact us at 703 779-0074 or by clicking here.