Sensei Christopher Hertzler, 2nd Degree

Vee-Arnis-Jitsu Black Belt #67

Chris was born and raised in the Amish country of Lancaster, PA. After High School Chris matriculated to DeVry University in Columbus, OH and earned a degree in electronics. He was hired by Intel Corporation as a technician.

In late 2002, Chris wanted to get back into Martial Arts and was looking at possible schools to train in. During a meeting (at work) his manager recommended that Chris check out the Defense Institute. Chris was blown away with how direct the system was in its approach to personal protection. He signed up right away.

He received his black belt in December of 2005 from Professor David James. He continues to train and is now working on his instruction skills so he may teach others Professor Vee's system.

Sensei William Puryear, 2nd Degree

Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #69

After a tour in the Marine Corps, Sensei Bill attended Colorado State University and earned a Bachelor of Biological Sciences and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. His wife Pamela and he currently own and have operated Faithful Friends Animal Hospital in Colorado Springs since 1996.

Sensei Bill started studying Vee Arnis Jitsu at The Defense Institute under Sensei John Petrone in 2002. In 2005, he was awarded his Black Belt (number 69)by Professor David James in New York City. As a student of Tae Kwon Do for many years and Wing Chun Kung Fu, he realized most martial art programs simply would not work in a realistic street self defense situation, which often involves a bigger and stronger person who is a good street fighter or mugger. The change of study from other martial arts to Vee Arnis Jitsu was a result of a tremendous amount of research in finding the most destructive, practical, and realistic street-savvy self defense program offered in the country. He was ecstatic to find out that there was actually a school in Colorado Springs! The exact location in Colorado Springs has never been an issue because the quality of not only the program itself but also the extraordinary experience and ability of the instructors is second to none. On top of continually learning the most pragmatic martial art available, he uses Vee Arnis Jitsu for physical fitness.

Sensei Bill and his wife Pamela have two children; Amanda and Danny. Amanda is currently a student at UCCS studying elementary education, and Danny is also a student at The Defense Institute studying under Sensei Eric Lalone. Danny will hopefully be testing for his Black Belt, in Koei Kan Karate, in 2007.

Sensei Jeannie Hazel-DeStefano, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #85

Jeannie was born and raised in Colorado Springs, CO. She is the staff Sign Language Interpreter and Interpreter Coordinator for Pikes Peak Community College and working on a Psychology degree.

In 1998, Jeannie found the Defense Institute while looking for a place for her son, Justin, to learn karate. In October of 2003, Jeannie took a six week 1-2-3 HIT course with Shihan John Petrone. The course was amazing in its applicability and sparked her interest in joining the Vee Arnis Jitsu Adult Street Self Defense Class. VAJ, while providing invaluable self defense training, has also helped Jeannie loose and keep off over 100 lbs.

She received her black belt in August 2008 from Professor David James. She continues to train with Shihan John and hopes to someday be able to help spread this eclectic system by instructing and/or encouraging and recruiting new students.

Sensei Marc Wulfkuhle, Vee-Arnis-Jitsu Black Belt #64

Marc was born and raised in Orange County, CA. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1992 as a damage control technician (shipboard firefighter). He relocated to Colorado Springs upon completion of his enlistment and is currently employed as a union fire sprinkler fitter.

Marc walked through the doors of the Defense institute in 2001 seeking information about the kickboxing program. After spending about 30 minutes discussing it with Sensei John, he walked out as a VAJ student. In June of 2005, he received his black belt from Professor David James in New York City.

Sensei Jim Cassio, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #65

Jim became a member of the Defense Institute in 2002, and was taught the most effective, no-nonsense approach to the ultimate street defense program by Shihan John Petrone. Jim received his Black Belt from Professor David James in December of 2005. Jim is a Design Build General Contractor in both the residential and commercial arenas, with an emphasis on sustainable design. His wife Debbie, being complementary to their business, has an artful approach to interior design and unique art. They have four children and reside in Colorado Springs.

Sensei Troy Bauer, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #63

Sensei Eddie Waldrep, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #86

Eddie was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ . After seven years of service in the US Army and a tour overseas, Eddie decided to pursue other interests that included a college education and martial arts training. He found a home and a new family at the Defense Institute in Colorado Springs, where he was fortunate enough to have the opportunity learn Vee Arnis Jujitsu from Shihan John Petrone and Sensei Eric LaLone. The no-nonsense approach and the focus on what works in real life situations led Eddie to embrace the Vee Arnis Jujitsu system. He was awarded the rank of Black Belt from Professor David James in Colorado Springs in August, 2008. Eddie, his wife Windy, and daughter Zoe now live in Ohio, where he is attending graduate school for Clinical Psychology. Eddie hopes to work with veterans returning from combat duty overseas.

Sensei Klayton Kendall, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #98

Klayton is the co-creator and former executive producer of the television, radio, and web program Colorado Culture Cast. A published author, filmmaker, and musician, Klayton holds a BA in English from Rivier College in New Hampshire, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2002. He plans to complete his MA in English in 2010 at Colorado State University. Klayton enjoys skiing, hiking, and motorcycling. A lifelong gaming enthusiast, Klayton plays chess, poker, Dungeons & Dragons, and various European board games whenever he can gather together a group of friends. Klayton was promoted to black belt in the Vee Arnis Jujitsu system in December, 2009. He and his wife have lived in the Pikes Peak region since 2003.

Sensei Lauran Turano, Vee-Arnis-Jitsu Black Belt #99

Lauran was born and raised in an Italian community in Brooklyn called Bensonhurst. Following her education at St. Francis de Sales and then at The Lexington School for the Deaf, she moved to Los Angeles to study for a degree in Child Education. After six years, she moved to Colorado Springs, to work at The Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind, as a Healthcare Technician II, a position she is proud to have held for the last thirteen years. Aside from her full time position she is also an American Sign Language instructor for the Club of Art Organization, Synthes Corporation, and also provides one-on-one ASL sessions with private clients. She continues her education, taking courses in Mental Health/Social Work, with the goal of becoming a rehabilitation consultant.

Lauran first looked into joining self defense courses to re-build her self esteem that was lost from having been a victim of domestic violence. She took a 3 hour 1-2-3 HIT seminar, with hearing peers, instructed by Shihan John. She felt this training was one of the best things she experienced in her life and the tools she learned from this became very effective for her personal needs. Through hard work, Lauran managed to regain her self-confidence. Shihan John helped Lauran believe that she could succeed regardless of who she is. She continues to train with Shihan after four and a half years with the Defense Institute. In December of 2009, Lauran was granted Black Belt #99 from Professor David James at a promotion ceremony held in New York City. The other black belts in the system voted to award her with the 99th Black Belt ever handed out in Vee-Arnis-Jitsu in recognition of her strength and perseverance in dealing not only with the training required, but in overcoming the language barrier between herself and Shihan John.

Through the training Lauran has realized that she can reach out to other women who may have lost hope in themselves and help them rebuild their self esteem and strength again. Lauran remarks that the course she takes at the Defense Institute has greatly helped her grow strong and believe in herself again. Lauran is the first Deaf person to have obtained a Black Belt in the Vee-Arnis-Jitsu System and at The Defense Institute.

Sensei Beth Peura, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #50 -Inactive

Beth was born and raised in Montague, MA. After graduating from high school in 1985, Beth joined the United States Air Force and received training as an Aerospace Medical Service Apprentice/Emergency Medical Technician. She also served as a Military Training Instructor for Air Force Basic Military Training from 1993 to 1996. Beth served three tours of duty in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (2003, 2005, and 2007).

In 1999, Beth was stationed at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, CO. While looking for a challenging physical fitness program, a friend suggested she try the Cardio Kick Boxing Class at the Defense Institute. Beth was hooked after the first class and became a regular student. After several months of fitness classes and watching the self-defense classes, Beth decided she wanted to take on the challenge of the self-defense program. She was always interested in martial arts and thought the practical application of the system would benefit her in her personal and professional career.

Beth received her black belt in December, 2003 from Professor David James. Due to a change of duty assignment in 2004 and multiple deployments, Beth hasn’t been able to continue her training. She is currently stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.

Inactive:

Sensei Christopher Corbett, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #68 (Active Duty U.S. Air Force, currently stationed in Japan.)

Sensei Davis Christy, Vee-Arnis-Jujitsu Black Belt #72 (Active Duty U.S. Marine Corps, currently stationed San Diego, CA.)

Others:

LaDarius Parrish