Camp Instructors

October 14, 2023 Camp

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4th Degree Black Belt

Senior Instructor of the Arts

Regional Director "West Coast" PKKA

Mr. Billy Nicewonger

Mr. Nicewonger is an individual that does not settle for anything. He is an Eagle Scout, a Sergeant in the Marine Core (Tank Commander) and having started with Mr. Durgan at the age of 12 is one of very few people as well as the youngest (adult) to attain his black belt under the tutelage of Mr. Durgan. Starting in @2006 on his journey, Mr. Nicewonger has proven himself to be a great martial artist and Teacher as well as a fine human being. He helps largely with the teaching at the school and is an asset to be sure. Mr. Nicewonger also has a studio in BonneyLake that he is partners in with Mr. Standley another one of Mr. Durgan's Black belts. Mr. Nicewonger is also the NW Representative for the PKKA.

5th Degree Black Belt

Associate Professor

Mr. Gene Braden

Mr. Braden believes the knowledge available in the Kenpo system is endless. The more you learn about Senior Master of the Arts (SMA) Edmund Parker’s American Kenpo, the more you realize there is so much you don’t know.

As a child, Mr. Braden loved to watch Kung Fu Theater on Saturday mornings. After viewing his first episode, he was determined to learn a martial art. In 1989 he stumbled upon an American Kenpo Karate Academies (AKKA) affiliated school owned and run by 5th degree Black Belt Eric McEnaneny and signed up.

In 2006 Mr. Braden joined an American Kenpo Karate school in Cameron, MO, run by Mark Bundy, where he continued his training and promotion in the art of Kenpo. During his time with Mr. Bundy, Mr. Braden had the opportunity to train with great people such as Si Bok Tom Kelly, Senior Master Dennis Conatser, Grand Master Frank Trejo, Senior Master Huk Planas, Master Rich Hale, Senior Grand Master Dave Hebler, Senior Master John Sepulveda, Associate Master Brian Duffy, Senior Master Bob White, Master Jeff Speakman, and many others.

In 2017, Mr. Hale humbled me by announcing me as President and successor of his association. What an amazing honor! I have been trying over the years to fill these shoes and grow into this position. I only hope to make Mr. Hale proud and happy that he gave me this great honor!"

6th Degree Black Belt

Professor of the Arts

Chris Herrman

Training Since: 1991

Mr. Herrman began training in Karate as a student at Syracuse University in 1991 and began teaching for his first instructor, Mr. Phil Benedict, in 1994. After graduating in 1995 he moved to Boston, MA where he earned his 1^st Degree Black Belt in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo, and all subsequent degrees, under Mr. Brian MacDonald. He relocated to Seattle, WA in 2001 and founded Alpha Martial Arts where he is honored to share his passion for the martial arts with students near and far.

Mr. Herrman loves the martial arts, especially the life-long learning opportunities that they present and the friendships that develop through training. In addition to being a 6^th Degree Black Belt in his base style of Kenpo, he also holds the ranks of 2^nd grade Black Belt in Doce Pares Eskrima, 1^st degree Black Belt in Kovar’s Blend, a Red Sash in Chaisai Muay Thai and a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Mr. Herrman was also profiled in "The Journey Book 3, American Kenpo's Next Generations" by Tom Bleecker.

Favorite Quote: “A black belt is just a white belt who never quit.” –Unknown– (and) “For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” –Rudyard Kipling–

9th Degree Black Belt

Master of the Arts

Mr. Milt Guinette

Milt Guinette-Sensei started his martial arts journey in 1969, at age 8, with Cliff Close and Rich Brown in San Rafael, CA. He studied Kenpo Karate and became Shodan (1st Black) in 1979.

After relocating to Vancouver, WA., he continued his study of Kenpo with John Ellis and Al and Pat Tracy. He has operated Kenpo schools in Vancouver, WA. and Hillsboro, OR. Guinette-Sensei still considers Tracy's Kenpo to be his base art.

Guinette-Sensei has also studied Kosho-Ryu Kempo, extensively, with Bruce Juchnik-Hanshi and Kurt Van Sickle-Shihan. He received a teaching certificate in Kosho-Ryu, from Juchnik-Hanshi in early 1996.

In 2001, he joined an American Kenpo school operated by Dave Hebler. He taught there for two years until the school was purchased by Jason Brick-Sensei, and became Bushido Martial Arts. Guinette-Sensei served as Chief Instructor of Bushido Martial Arts until early 2009.

9th Degree Black Belt

Master of the Arts Gene Eckhart

Originally from Dallas, TX and now living in University Place, WA., Mr. Eckhart was originally ranked 1^st Black by his first instructor, Rick Fowler. Mr. Eckhart then became and continues to be a student of Tim Bulot, who subsequently ranked him 2^nd through 9^th Degree Black Belt. Mr. Eckhart’s Kenpo training from Mr. Bulot is from the Larry Tatum lineage. Mr. Eckhart taught in Mr. Bulot’s school while living in Texas and now teaches privates and small group classes in University Place, WA. His desire is to learn and grow together through community and events like the PKKA camp.

9th Degree Black Belt

Founder/President

Mr. Todd M. Durgan

Bio;

Mr. Durgan began his training at the age of 11, he has since trained with many but his primary teacher since 1989 has been GM AC Rainey. Mr. Rainey continues to teach and share and Mr. Durgan takes in classes with Mr. Rainey as time and circumstance allow. Mr. Durgan started over with Mr. Rainey so he is ranked from yellow through 9th degree black with GM Rainey. Some of Mr. Durgan's accomplishments list below.

Published Author;

"Constituents of Contact Manipulation" 2012

Creator, designer; Other Publications and full bio can be found here

Founder/Creator;

Phasic Kombatives Integrated 2019

Founder PKKA;

Phasic Kenpo Karate Alliance 2019

10th Degree Black Belt

Senior Master of the Arts

Mr. AC Rainey

Senior Master Rainey began his Kenpo Karate Training under Kenpo Grandmasters Dave Hebler and Jim Thompson in the fall of 1972 at Mt San Antonio College Tiger & Dragon Club. He was teaching within months under their tutelage. Through testing, teaching, competition and constant rigorous training with his Stable Mate Senior Master Paul Dye, Mr. Rainey earned his Black Belt from Founder and Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker by the summer of 1974. That same week he was also Belted in BKF by Grandmaster Ron Chapel whom he credits with honing his competitive fighting abilities. For the last 46 years, Mr. Rainey has continued to teach Kenpo at a high level of Proficiency taking breaks only for family and career goals. He has had the privilege to teach his brothers and sons as well as a cadre of Black Belts and watch them all excel in their teaching in their own right. Two of those teachers are Masters Todd Durgan & Rich Hale both of whom teach locally, nationally and internationally and are acclaimed great Kenpoists in their own right and continue to humble Mr. Rainey.

Senior Master Rainey has served in the military where his skills kept him and others safe. Later he also served as a Public servant teaching those same skills to other public safety officers as well as teaching men, women, and children both self defense and Kenpo.

In 2013 Mr. Rainey was awarded the Master status by the Kenpo community. The following

year He was recognized by his peers and inducted into the Masters Hall of Fame.

In 2019 Senior Master Rainey was awarded the Senior Master status by the Kenpo community.

Senior Master Rainey to this day still exudes a fascination and excitation when watching a white belt or anyone realize their full potential, and he loves teaching one-on-one. His goal is to teach his art and watch his students become as good or better than Senior Master Rainey at the Martial Art of Kenpo.