Associates

Professor Henry Childers
Associate Member

Professor Henry Childers, 9th dan

Professor Henry Childers (Kudan – 9th degree black belt) is an accomplished martial arts instructor with over fifty years of hands-on experience in the field of self defense.  Mr. Childers has trained individuals from various professions and backgrounds including the film industry, law enforcement, and military.

He maintains knowledge of various martial arts including Kenpo, Small Circle Jujitsu, and Modern Arnis while teaching a unique, personalized, and highly effective blend of martial arts that is based on the science and mechanics of human anatomy, and designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of an attacker in an aggressive scenario.

He believes that we should never limit ourselves in learning effective moves if it will help with defending ourselves.  He openly demonstrates his assertive style during class and seminars, captivating and educating his audience.

Mr. Childers is an inductee and a charter member of the Kenpo International Hall of Fame since its inception in Chicago, IL on June 23rd, 2007.  In August of 2011, Mr. Childers received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the world of self defense.  Mr. Childers has also been inducted as a “Keeper of the Flame” in August of 2019.Since then he has appeared in various publications and podcasts such as “The World’s Greatest Martial Artists Volume 15“, “Five Faces of Kempo“, and “Whistlekick Martial Arts Radio – Interview.”

Mr. Childers continues to train others and takes great pride in his accomplishments and that of his students.

 

Master Anthony Verburgt
Associate Member

Grandmaster Anthony Verburgt, 10th dan

Master Anthony Verburgt has a unique background in teaching the martial arts.  His fighting background began in the tough streets of the hard rock mines of Colorado as a youth.  He became involved in boxing in high school, Kodokan Judo in College, has now spent 56 years learning the Oriental Martial Arts Systems and has taught in a Tracy’s studio since 1974. He has run his own club and later studio since 1979.  His instructors include James Dixon and GM Dr. Roger Greene who later introduced him to SGM Al Tracy who took him under wing and promoted him through his Dan Rankings.

He is a professional educator having dedicated 36 years to teaching in the Missouri Secondary Schools System, Colleges, and is retired from education leaving his last position as an Adjunct Instructor of Spanish at Drury University.

He is also a retired Deputy Sheriff of Taney County with 36 years of service with a specialty in the instruction of defensive tactics.

Master Anthony Verburgt – 9th dan

Master Verburgt is a Judan, 10th Degree Black Belt. A fierce competitor, having been previously ranked #1 in North America Sport Karate Association, #3 in Professional Karate League and for 5 consecutive years was the State Fighting and Forms Champion in the Arkansas State Karate Circuit.

In 2007 Master Verburgt was inducted into the Kenpo International Hall of Fame as a Charter Member and in 2019 was named as an Associate Member of the Tracy’s Kenpo Senior Advisory Council.

Master Verburgt has presented seminars throughout the United States, Mexico, England and Ireland by request. He will present his seminar on the development of speed off the line for use both in competition and on the street involving self-defense.

 

Sifu Roy Abramowitz
Associate Member

Sifu Roy Abramowitz, 8th dan

The lessons learned in the martial arts are a primary reason for my business success. The lessons taught me to follow instruction, push myself beyond expectation, achieve tasks that are unpleasant and realize “it is not always the talent, but what is in the heart” that leads to success. The martial arts have taught me to be successful over the longest of odds, and that I can’t is not an option.

Over the past twenty-two years Roy Abramowitz has trained with Shihan Gary Gione, and the late Sei Tai Gung James Ibrao and the late Senior Sei Tai Gung Jimmy Wing Woo.

Awarded Rank of: Sifu Ngon Lung Silver Dragon 8th Degree Black Belt – August 15 2015 – Jun Bao Wu Shu Kung Fu Tai Chi International Chinese Martial Arts Association – Family Tree of Sifu Grand Master Sei Tai Gung James Ibrao and Grandmaster Senior Sei Tai Gung Jimmy Wing Woo. Placed on Jun Bao Wu Shu Kung Fu Tai Chi Board April 2016

Awarded rank of Rokudan – Sixth Degree Black Belt – Tracy Kenpo Karate by Shihan Gary Gione – Elite Defensive Tactics – November 15, 2021

Associate Member of the Tracy’s Kenpo Karate Senior Council Kenpo International Hall of Fame – 2011 Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Fame – 2001 Two time National Champion – North American Sport Karate Association. State Champion – Karate Referee’s Association of the North East Kranes Int’l – Top Ten NASKA and KRANE’s Competitor of the Year.

Began studying the martial arts in 1963 in Shotokan – Japanese Karate Association under Sensei Maynard Minor.

Roy Abramowitz is a Certified Public Accountant trained by the Big Four Accounting Firms and started his own firm in 1987. The firm is a member of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and is quality reviewed by the National Peer Review Committee of the AICPA.

Other activities include the Greenwich CT Council of the Boy Scouts of America – currently Treasurer/Officer, Executive Committee and Board of Directors member. Served as the Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Starlight Children’s Foundation for 25 years. Active with the SPCA, Cancercare and Save the Children.

Sifu Abramowitz was a featured instructor at the 2019 and 2022 Gathering of Eagles.

Master Todd Tomco
Associate Member

Master Todd Tomco, 8th dan

Master Todd Tomco began his training at Tracy’s Karate Studio located in Parma, Ohio, in 1985, under the instruction of Grand Master Mark Miller.  He knew immediately that he would build his life around the art of Kenpo and would one day own his own dojo. 

In 1999, he opened his own Tracy’s Karate Studio in Medina, Ohio.  His studio has continued to grow and expand its many programs throughout the years.  Tracy’s Karate Studio of Medina has been proud to host many seminars taught by Grand Masters, Masters, and Senseis, including several by Great Grand Master Al Tracy himself.  Master Todd organizes and runs Tracy’s Invitational Karate Tournament twice a year, drawing competitors from around the world.

Always wanting to learn more, Master Todd travels the country attending seminars held by other great martial artists.  At home, he continues to train weekly under the instruction of Grand Master Mark Miller and holds the rank of 8th-degree black belt.  Mastering over a hundred katas, he trains daily to maintain the wealth of knowledge he has gained.

In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Kenpo International Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Cleveland Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2019. Master Tomco was a featured instructor at the Gathering of Eagles, 2022. He also serves as an associate member of the Tracy’s Kenpo Karate Executive Council.

 

 

Tony Albano – Associate Member of the Executive Council

Armando Salas-Amaro – Associate Member of the Executive Council

Noel Castillo – Associate Member of the Executive Council

Milt Guinette – Associate Member of the Executive Council

Kristen Froehlich – Associate Member of the Executive Council

Kevin Lamkin – Associate Member of the Executive Council