Grandmaster S. George Pesare
Grandmaster Pesare is a 10th Degree Black Belt and is the undisputed founder of Kempo Karate in New England. The 10th Degree Black Belt level is one of the highest achievements in the Martial Arts community and is at the Professorship level. Grandmaster Pesare began his martial arts career with Karazenpo-Go-Shinjutsu in 1958 with his instructor, Grandmaster Victor (Sonny) Gascon, one of the Kempo founders in America. Grandmaster Gascon has since retired, and given the responsibility of teaching the true Karazenpo-Go-Shinjutsu to Grandmaster George Pesare. Since then, Mr. Pesare continued his training in the following martial art disciplines:
In the world of realistic self defense, George
Pesare has been a law enforcement officer for over 20 years. During
his tenure with the Providence Sheriffs Department, he served as Training Officer and Range Master. During his tenure with the Kent County Sheriffs department, he also served as Training Officer and Range Master, teaching all aspects of firearms to Federal, State, and municipal agencies.
Mr. Pesare is the coordinator of the National Rifle Associations' Annual
Police Pistol Regional Championships. He is also a member of the
coveted '1490' club. He is the 1994 Rhode Island State Police Pistol
Champion, and is the Police Pistol Champion of the Prestigious Police Pistol Governors Twenty. Mr. Pesare is also the President and Rhode Island Match Director of the Rhode Island Police Pistol Combat League.
Grandmaster Carpenter's 9th Degree Black Belt is the first Black Belt and "First Knight" to have been awarded his black Belt from the parent institute. Using the disciplines and knowledge he mastered from the Institute in Rhode Island, Mr. Carpenter founded the Kansas Karate Institute in Wichita, Kansas. Roger is the Training Officer and Range Master for the Sedgwick County Sheriffs Department. Mr. Carpenter's fighting record is unique:
Ms. Vinbury is an 9th Degree Black Belt and
administrator of the Kaito Gakko. Donna is considered to hold the Besides her regular training, she is active in all of Grandmaster George Pesare's programs in the private sector. Among these, she is a certified Blade fighter and Blade to Blade referee. Also, Ms. Vinbury is a Krane official, and has judged numerous world title Kickboxing fights. Ms. Vinbury has demonstrated her Power Kicking by simultaneously breaking (4) one inch boards with a shin kick. Ms. Vinbury has received a Bachelors Degree in Science and Nursing, and is board certified as a Registered Nurse.
Most recently, Ms. Vinbury has choreographed fighting sequences in a 1999 performance of The Nutcracker at the Providence Performing Arts Center.
Mr. Paquette is a 9th Degree Black Belt of the Institute, and his quality of teaching is only offset by his fierce regard for quality Kenpo fighters. Mr. Paquette is an excellent instructor of all ages, and in the realistic world of self defense Mr. Paquette is a Captain on the East Providence Police Department, and is a training officer in firearms and other certified programs.
Mr. Pezzi is a 8th degree Black Belt and received his training from George Pesare. One week after his Black Belt test, Mr. Pezzi was ordered to Vietnam assigned with a Special Forces Group. Mr. Pezzi has served his country well, and has accredited much of his Kenpo training to helping him survive in the bush.
Mr. Messore, a 8th degree Black Belt, started his training with Mr. Pesare in 1972. Mr. Messore had the privilege of training with a number of well known karate champions such as Ralph Bomba, Paul Graves, and Dennis Passaretti who were members of George Pesare's "Italian Army" which went on to win the 1974 United States Men's Team Championship.
Mr. Messore also participated in the "Battle on Branch Avenue". This was an open invitation to Karate Schools in the North East to send teams to compete at the Branch Avenue Y.M.C.A.. Mr. Messore leading George Pesare's Second team to the semi-finals won the match with a punishing punch to the solarplexus of the team captain from Mr. Kali Griffith's best team. The team that Mr. Messore lead (the B team) then met Mr. Pesare's First team (the A team) and lost in the finals. Mr. Messore was the team captain of the 1974 and 1975 N.E.K.R.A. Champion Black Belt Teams. Mr. Messore trained with Linda Herzog and was privileged to be present on her successful completion of her Black Belt testing. Also, Mr. Messore teaches Christian Meditation and leads a small bi-monthly group.
Mr. Wigal is a 7th Degree Black Belt and has
been Kansas Karate's competitive superstar winning in full contact karate matches and the Kansas Triple Crown in 1992. David has an Electrical Engineering Degree from Wichita State University, and an Emergency Medical Technician Certification. David has also served as a U.S. Marshall's assistant. David is a FAA Coordinator with FlightSaftey International. He works with the Federal Aviation Administration to keep his company's flight simulators, for Cessna business jets, up to Certified standards. David is a Certified Instructor in Mike Inay's system of Eskrima for knife Defense, Sinawali/Dequerdas, pressure points, and baton systems.
Ms. Carpenter received her Black Belt (30)
years after her father, Roger at the parent institute in Providence, Rhode Island. Shea Carpenter is an 8th degree Black Belt, making her first test in August 1994. She began training at the age of 6, under her father Roger at the Kansas Karate Institute. Ms. Carpenter won the Midwest Tough man in 1993 and competed throughout the midwest through her early teens and young adult years. Currently, she is a Senior at Friends University in Wichita with a forthcoming degree in Administration of Justice. As a Sedgwick County Sheriff's Detention Deputy full time, student, and full time mom for two boys, Creighton 11 years old and Chase 2 years old, Shea has a full day everyday. Shea is also a Certified Instructor in Mike Inay's system of Eskrima for knife Defense, pressure points, and baton systems.
Mr. Whiting is an 8th degree Black Belt at the Kaito Gakko "School of Schools," he has been training with Grand Master George Pesare since 1990. After earning a Bachelor degree from the University of Rhode Island (Communication/Psychology) Mr. Whiting was commissioned as an officer in the US Army Special Forces (Patriot Missile System). While serving in Europe Mr. Whiting trained under Grand Master Frankie Dow in Kung Fu, and Master Pin Pin Su in Tai Chi Chuan earning instructor ranks (Black Belt) in both. After the Gulf War Mr. Whiting returned to Rhode Island where he earned a Masters degree (Education/Urban Development & African American Studies) from Rhode Island College. Mr. Whiting is currently on faculty in Indianapolis, Indiana and is a third year Doctoral Student in Education at Purdue University. Mr. Whiting is on the Research and Development team for New Balance Running. He is also a new green belt on Purdue's Judo team winning his first competition in 1999. Mr. Whiting is a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer ACE (American Council on Exercise) and works with special populations.
Sean Phinney is a 5th degree Black Belt. Mr. Phinney
earned his credentials in the "Lions Den" of George Pesare's Kenpo Karate Institute. Mr. Phinney has been a student at 'Roger Carpenter's Kansas Karate Institute' since November 11, 1988. Mr. Phinney's skills also extened to firearms, especially handguns. Mr. Phinney is also an instructor in the Inayan Law Enforcement Training Organization Division for pressure points and reactive knife defence systems. Mr. Phinney's full time employment is with York Int. as a Journeyman Tool and Die maker.
Laura Rauch is a student and 3rd degree Black Belt of Grandmaster Roger Carpenter's Kansas Karate Institute. Listed below are some of the accomplishments of Ms. Rauch.
Education: