M. Joe

Ms. Mary Joe has been with ASKJ since 1984 and currently holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt.  Ms. Joe instructs the Adult Advanced class at ASKJ on Wednesday nights.  Ms. Joe is an instructor for the Weapons Program and has sucessfully completed the Basic Bo, Intermediate Bo, Advanced Bo, Basic Sai, and Intermediate Sai curricula and has experience with numerous other weapons.

Ms. Joe is the Acting Chief Instructor at ASKJ and has been inducted into the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame on numerous occassions, including 2004 when she was recognized for her accomplishments as Chief Instructor.

Ms. Joe has a Bachelors of Science in Composite Science/Math and a Bachelors of Science in Nuclear Medicine Technology.  Ms. Joe is currently emloyed at Creighton University in the Radiation Safety Dept, which maintains the Rules and Regulations from the State of NE and the NRC for all PhDs doing research with radioactive materials.  Ms. Joe oversees the Nuclear Medicine Dept. and the Radiology/Oncology Dept. at CUMC.  Ms. Joe is also an avid singer and is involved in several local music groups.

V. Retelsdorf

Mrs. Valerie Retelsdorf (McGill) and her husband, C.L. Retelsdorf, are the current owners of ASKJ.  Mrs. Retelsdorf has been with ASKJ since 1991 and currently holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt.  Mrs. Retelsdorf instructs the Junior Beginner class at ASKJ on Wednesday nights and the Adult Beginner and Adult Advanced classes  at ASKJ on Monday nights. She also instructs the After School Program at ASKJ, which started in 2010.  Mrs. Retelsdorf is also an instructor for the Weapons Program and has successfully completed the Basic Bo, Intermediate Bo, Advanced Bo, Basic Sai, and Intermediate Sai curricula.  Mrs. Retelsdorf is in charge of the judo program at ASKJ and his been inducted into the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame on numerous occassions, including 2010 when she was recognized for Outstanding Instruction & Loyalty.

Mrs. Retelsdorf received her Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and her Bachelors in Criminal Justice from UNO.  In addition to owning ASKJ, Mrs. Retelsdorf is currently employed as an adjunct professor for Clarkson College.  Mrs. Retelsdorf's husband, C.L., received his Masters in Forensic Science and currently works in the Douglas County Crime Lab as a Forensic Scientist.

V. Grantham

Ms. Vivian Grantham has been with ASKJ since 1982 and currently holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt.  Ms. Grantham instructs the Adult Beginner and Adult Advanced classes at ASKJ on Tuesday nights.  Ms. Grantham is the Loads Specialist at ASKJ and has been inducted into the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame on numerous occassions, including 2010 when she was recognized for Outstanding Instruction. 

Ms. Grantham has a Bachelors in Accounting and was employed as a CPA for many years.

R. Petersen

Ms. Regina Petersen has been with ASKJ since 1992 and currently holds the rank of 3D Black Belt.  Ms. Petersen is the head instructor at Montclair Community Center on Thursday nights where she instructs classes for both juniors and adults.  Ms. Petersen is also an assistant instructor for the Adult Advanced class at ASKJ on Wednesday nights.  Ms. Petersen is also the Weapons Specialist at ASKJ and has successfully completed the Basic Bo, Intermediate Bo, Advanced Bo, Basic Sai, and Intermediate Sai curricula.  Ms. Petersen has been inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame on several occassions, including 2004 when she was recognized for Outstanding Instruction. 

Ms. Petersen received her Bachelors in Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently employed as an elementary school teacher at Franklin Elementary. 

A. Snoza

Mr. Adam Snoza has been with ASKJ since 1992 and currently holds the rank of 3D Black Belt.  He is an assistant instructor under Mr. John O'Malley and Mrs. Lynn Snoza at the West YMCA on Thursday nights.  Mr. Snoza has been assisting at the West YMCA since 1997, when he received his 1st degree black belt.  In 2011, Mr. Snoza started a satellite school at Roncalli High  where he instructs martial arts classes on Sunday afternoons.  Mr. Snoza is also a member of the Weapons Program and has successfully completed the Basic Bo, Intermediate Bo, and Advanced Bo curricula.

Mr. Snoza has a Bachelors in English from Creighton University and has been a high school English teacher since 2006.  Mr. Snoza brings that background into his instruction.  He prides himself on his adaptable teaching and his focus on precision and purpose of technique.

J. Jacobs

Ms. Jordan Jacobs has been with ASKJ since 1993 and currently holds the rank of 4D Black Belt.  Ms. Jacobs instructs the Junior Beginner and Junior Advanced classes at ASKJ on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Ms. Jacobs began her martial arts training at the West YMCA under the instruction of Mr. John O'Malley and Mrs. Lynn Snoza.  She continues to serve as an assistant instructor at the West YMCA on Thursday nights.  Ms. Jacobs is also a member of the Weapons Program and has successfully completed the Basic Bo, Intermediate Bo, Advanced Bo, Basic Sai, and Intermediate Sai curricula.  Ms. Jacobs is the Children's Specialist at ASKJ and has been inducted into the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame on several occasions, including 2010 when she was recognized for Outstanding Instruction.

Ms. Jacobs has a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently employed as an Omaha Police Officer.

D. Dryden

Mr. Dustin Dryden has been with ASKJ since 1987 and currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt.  Mr. Dryden instructs the Junior Advanced and Adult Beginner classes at ASKJ on Wednesday nights.  Mr. Dryden began his martial arts training at age 10 with his twin brother, David, who is also a black belt at ASKJ.   
 
Mr. Dryden has a Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently employed as a training contractor for the United States Air Force.
 
Mr. Dryden's favorite quote is: "Develop success from failures. Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success."�� Dale Carnegie

S. Gray

Mr. Schadd Gray has been with ASKJ since 2009 and currently holds the rank of 3R Black Belt.  Mr. Gray instructs the Adult Beginner and Adult Advanced classes at ASKJ on Thursday nights.  Mr. Gray began his martial arts training in Des Moines, IA in 1977 where he received instruction in Judo, Hapkido, and Taekwondo.  In 2009, Mr. Gray joined ASKJ to continue his martial arts training with his son, Andrew, who is currently a brown belt.      
 
Mr. Gray is currently self-employed as a computer software engineer. 

B. Kraay

Mr. Brent Kraay has been with ASKJ since 1996 and currently holds the rank of 2D Black Belt.  Mr. Kraay instructs the Junior Beginner and Junior Advanced classes at ASKJ on Monday nights.  Mr. Kraay began his martial arts training at the West YMCA under the instruction of Mr. John O'Malley and Mrs. Lynn Snoza.  After receiving his 1st degree black belt in 2002, Mr. Kraay spent several years assisting Mr. O'Malley and Mrs. Snoza at the West YMCA.  Mr. Kraay is also a member of the Weapons Program and has successfully completed the Basic Bo curriculum.  In 2004, Mr. Kraay was recognized by the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame as an Outstanding Assistant Instructor.

Mr. Kraay is currently working toward a Bachelors degree in Music Technology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and is expected to graduate in 2012.

D. Sopher

Mr. Sopher has been with ASKJ since 1997 and currently holds the rank of 3D Black Belt.  When he can find time between school and work, Mr. Sopher serves as an assistant instructor for the Junior Beginner and Junior Advanced class at ASKJ on Wednesday nights.  Mr. Sopher is also a member of the Weapons Program and has sucessfully completed the Basic Bo, Intermediate Bo, and Basic Sai curricula.

Mr. Sopher is pursuing a degree in Accounting and is currently employed at Midwest Manufacturing.

G. Chen

Georgianna Peng-Chen has been with ASKJ since 2002 and currently holds the rank of 2D Black Belt.  In 2000, Mrs. Peng-Chen's sons began taking martial arts under the instruction of Mr. Scott Tibbels at AV Sorensen Center.  After watching her children for several years, Mrs. Peng-Chen also began training under Mr. Tibbels.  Since earning her black belt in 2005, Mrs. Peng-Chen has served as an assistant instructor to Mr. Tibbels for the junior class on Thursday nights at AV Sorensen Center.  Mrs. Peng-Chen is also an assistant instructor on Saturday afternoons at ASKJ.  Mrs. Peng-Chen views her martial arts training as a work in progress and sees each class as an opportunity to learn.

Mrs. Peng-Chen began studying Pharmacology at the University of Texas at Austin and completed her studies at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.  Mrs. Peng-Chen has been employed as a staff pharmacist at Creighton University Medical Center since 1989.

K. Lofshult

Ms. Kelsey Lofshult has been with ASKJ since 2003 and currently holds the rank of 1D black belt.  Ms. Lofshult is an assistant instructor for the Junior Beginner and Junior Advanced classes on Thursday nights at ASKJ, where she instructs alongside her mother, Lynn Lofshult. Ms. Lofshult also assisted Mrs. Retelsdorf with the 2011 ASKJ summer camps and is scheduled to assist with the upcoming 2012 summer camps.

Ms. Lofshult is currently a sophomore at Burke High School, where she is at the top of her class.  With her hard work and positive attitude, Ms. Lofshult serves as an excellent role model to the juniors at ASKJ.

T. O'Donnell

Mr. Terry O'Donnell has been with ASKJ since 1994 and currently holds the rank of 1D Black Belt.  Mr. O'Donnell instructs the Junior and Adult classes at ASKJ on Saturday afternoons.  Mr. O'Donnell's son, Alex O'Donnell, who is a 1R Black Belt, assists Mr. O'Donnell with the Junior class on Saturdays at ASKJ.  Mr. O'Donnell is a member of the Weapons Program and has sucessfully completed the Basic Bo curriculum.  In 2000, Mr. O'Donnell was recognized by the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Outstanding Instruction.

Mr. O'Donnell received his Masters in Economics from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently employed as a Senior Business Intelligence Analyst at Mutual of Omaha.   

J. Perry

Mr. Joel Perry has been with ASKJ since 2003 and currently holds the rank of 2R Black Belt.  Mr. Perry always makes himself available to assist with classes at ASKJ as needed.  Mr. Perry and his daughter, Paige, who is currently a brown belt, started taking classes at ASKJ together.
 
Mr. Perry has a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Tennessee and is currently employed as a Certified Residential Appraiser.

K. Westfall

Ms. Kelly Westfall has been with ASKJ since 2000 and currently holds the rank of 1D Black Belt. Ms. Westfall currently instructs a group of students at Iowa State University. Ms. Westfall began her martial arts training at the West YMCA under the instruction of Mr. John O'Malley and Mrs. Lynn Snoza. After receiving her black belt, Ms. Westfall spent several years assisting Mr. O'Malley and Mrs. Snoza at the West YMCA, and assisting the Junior Beginner and Junior Advanced classes at ASKJ on Mondays and Wednesdays. Ms. Westfall is also a member of the Weapons Program and has successfully completed the Basic Bo and Intermediate Bo curricula.

Ms. Westfall has a Bachelors of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree at Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

L. Wright

Mr. Wright has been with ASKJ since 1995 and currently holds the rank of 1D Black Belt.  Mr Wright instructs the Adult class at ASKJ on Friday nights. Mr. Wright is a member of the Weapons Program and has sucessfully completed the Basic Bo curriculum. Mr. Wright began his taekwondo training in Council Bluffs, IA in themid 80's with life long friend and Korean martial asrtist, "Chan Ho Kang". In 1995, Mr. Wright joined ASKJ to continue his martial arts training, and was later joined by his daughter, Ciara, who is currently a blue belt. In 2010, Mr. Wright was recognized by the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame for Outstanding Instruction of Pressure Points.

Mr. Wright is employed in the Security Department of the University of Nebraska Medical Center and also works part-time at an elementary school in OPS, where he is a mentor to several students.

L. Lofshult

Ms. Lynn Lofshult has been with ASKJ since 2009 and currently holds the rank of 1R black belt. She began her martial arts training at Iowa State University and made it to green belt. Her daughter, Kelsey, started with ASKJ in 2003 and was the inspiration for Ms. Lofshult getting back into martial arts and ultimately achieving her goal of black belt. Ms. Lofshult instructs the Junior Beginner and Junior Advanced classes on Thursday nights at ASKJ, and she also instructs the After School Program with Mrs. Retelsdorf. Ms. Lofshult works the front desk Monday thru Friday and on Testings. Ms. Lofshult was inducted into the WHFSC International Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2010 where she was recognized as Outstanding Student of the Year.

Ms. Lofshult earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University, with a minor in speech communication.  She worked for 10 years at Central State Health & Life Co. of Omaha in direct marketing, corporate communication, and agency marketing.  Since the birth of her second of four children, Ms. Lofshult has worked as a stay-at-home mom where she has perfected the art of cookie making!

J. Wilburn

Mr. Jack Wilburn has been with ASKJ since 1995 and currently holds the rank of 1D Black Belt.  Mr. Wilburn began his martial arts training at the AV Sorensen Center under the instruction of Mr. Scott Tibbels.  Upon receiving his brown belt, Mr. Wilburn began serving as an assistant instructor to Mr. Tibbels for the junior class on Thursday evenings.  Mr. Wilburn earned his black belt in 2002, and continues to assist Mr. Tibbels at the AV Sorensen Center.

In 2008, Mr. Wilburn started a new satellite school where he instructs martial arts classes on Monday nights.  Originally, his classes were held at Stepperettes Dance Studio, but in 2010, Mr. Wilburn moved his classes to the Butler Gast YMCA.