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Master Instructor - Dr. Gary Jameson

Dr. Gary Jameson
  • 7th Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: August 21, 1957 Stuttgart, Germany

  • Martial Art Background: Dr. Jameson moved to the United States in 1972 at age 15 and started his training in Martial Arts that same year in Shotokan Karate. Then under Jim Botin he was introduced to the art of Tae Kwon Do. In 1990 he opened St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy and joined the National Tae Kwon Do Federation of America (NTFA) headed by Master Mike Brown.

  • Personal Background: Dr. Jameson has been in private practice in the St. Louis area since 1985. Specializing in Chiropractic Medicine and Acupuncture. He has studied Oriental Medicine in China and the United States.

  • A few of Master Jameson's recognitions include:
    • International Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts Alliance (ITKDMAA) President
    • United States Martial Arts (USMA) 2000 Hall of Fame (Instructor of the Year for Missouri)
    • USMA 2001 Hall of Fame (Master of the Year)
    • USMA 2002 Hall of Fame (Silver Life Award)
    • Certified AAU Coach and Referee
    • NTFA Regional Director for Missouri
    • International Martial Arts Council of America (IMAC) Missouri State Director
    • United International Federation of Martial Arts (UIFMA) Lifetime Member
    • Apprentice Instructor for Progressive Fighting Systems
Chief Instructor - Kurt Valdez

Kurt Valdez
  • 6th Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: May 30, 1979 St. Louis, Missouri

  • Martial Art Background: Mr. Valdez started his Martial Arts training around the age of 10 in Kung Fu. The year after he started his Tae Kwon Do training with Master Gary Jameson at the St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy under the National Tae Kwon Do Federation of America (NTFA).

  • Personal Background: Mr. Valdez graduated from SLU with a degree in Management Information Systems and currently works in the Information Technology department at AT&T.

  • A few of Mr. Valdez's recognitions include:
    • International Tae Kwon Do and Martial Arts Alliance (ITKDMAA) Vice President
    • United States Martial Arts (USMA) 2001 Hall of Fame (Martial Artist of the Year)
    • Certified AAU Coach and Referee
Assistant Instructor - Alex Hedrick

Alex Hedrick
  • 3rd Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: June, 1994, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Martial Art Background: Mr. Hedrick joined St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy at the age of 8. He earned his 1st degree black belt in March, 2007. He has also competed in several regional tournaments and the AAU TKD Nationals in Florida, earning 1st place trophies and a Grand Champion Trophy.

  • Personal Background: Mr. Hedrick is in high school. He enjoys playing the guitar in his free time.

Assistant Instructor - Bob Elkins

BobElkins
  • 2nd Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: Feb 19, 1963 St. Louis, Missouri

  • Martial Art Background: Mr. Elkins and his family joined St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy over 7 years ago. He earned his 1st degree black belt in March, 2009.

  • Personal Background: Mr. Elkins is a Foreman for Kaemmerlen Electric, has been a member of I.B.E.W. Local 1 for 26 years, and enjoys hunting in his free time.

Assistant Instructor - Andy Schlote

Andrew Schlote
  • 3rd Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: January, 1990, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Martial Art Background: Mr. Schlote started training with the St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy at the age of 10, and earned his 3rd degree black belt in March of 2007.

  • Personal Background: Mr. Schlote graduated from DeSmet High School and just started his first year at Southeast Missouri State University.

Assistant Instructor - Jenifer Taylor

Jenifer Taylor
  • 2nd Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: February 19, 1975 Silver Springs, Maryland

  • Martial Art Background: Miss Taylor began her Martial Arts training while in college at Southeast Missouri State University. She studied with Master Doug Johnson at Moo Sul Kwan in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. After completing college, Miss Taylor moved to St. Louis county where she continued her training starting in January 2000 at the St. Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy. Miss Taylor has competed and placed in many Martial Arts tournaments in Missouri, Illinois, and Arkansas including earning 1st Place in forms and Olympic-style sparring for the Missouri AAU in 2002.

  • Personal Background: Miss Taylor earned a Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business from Southeast Missouri State University. She spent 5 years in computer network sales at SBC and currently works at KV Pharmaceuticals. Miss Taylor also enjoys acting and has been seen in various community theater productions in the St. Louis area.

Assistant Instructor - Tim Pendleton

Tim Pendleton
  • 1st Dan - Tae Kwon Do

  • Born: December 10th, 1970, St. Louis, Missouri

  • Martial Art Background: Mr. Pendleton studied Shotokahn Karate for two years in college. He joined the Saint Louis Tae Kwon Do Academy in 2003 and earned his 1st degree black belt in May, 2007.

  • Personal Background: Mr. Pendleton earned a biology degree from Truman State University in 1993 and a Masters Degree in Agronomy from Mizzou in 1996. He has been teaching science at Chaminade College Preparatory School ever since.

  • A few of Mr. Pendleton's recognitions include:
    • Certified in Advanced Police Defense Tactics
    • Assistant Instructor in 2008
    • 2003 Missouri Biology Teacher of the Year