Steve's background includes over 15 years of martial arts experience and six years of military service. While in the United States Air Force, Steve served as a foreign language specialist in an elite electronic combat unit. Due to the high-security nature of his position, he received extensive training in various survival, escape and evasion tactics. His Krav Maga and martial arts background includes:

Steve also has a strong wrestling background, has boxed and studied Jiu Jitsu. Steve was the first certified Krav Maga instructor in Kansas City, receiving his Instructor Certification in January 2001.

In October 2001, Steve established the Krav Maga & Fitness Center in Lenexa, Kansas. Well known for his endless energy, in-depth knowledge and entertaining teaching style, Steve has taught Krav Maga to hundreds of adults and children in the Kansas City area.

Constantly seeking knowledge to ensure the best training for both himself and his students, Steve frequently travels nationwide for seminars and training events. He has participated in Krav Maga weapon defense seminars in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, New York and Washington DC. He's also completed a 2-day tactical shooting course taught by the top tactical trainer for the LAPD SWAT team (International Tactical Training Seminars, Inc.)

Steve has been interviewed about Krav Maga by local TV, radio, and newspaper publications, including Channels 4, 5, 9 and 41, Kansas City Star, Sun Publications, Kansas City Sports Page and the Jewish Chronicle. His radio interviews include Stations 93.3, 98.9, Star 102, 96.5, and 8.10 Sports Talk and V100.3 in Topeka. In the January 2003 Los Angeles Times, Steve was pictured with Krav Maga U.S. Chief Instructor Darren Levine in an article about Darren. Nationally, Steve had a cameo appearance in the October 2, 2004, episode of 48-Hours -an episode which featured U.S. Chief Instructor Darren Levine.

Eric began his Krav Maga training with us in July 2001, becoming an instructor in May 2003. As a Lead Instructor at our Center, he completed his Expert Series I Instructor Certification in 2005 and is training for Expert Series II certification. Eric is also a member of the Krav Maga KC Fight team with amateur bouts in Muay Thai and Mix Martial Arts. Eric studied martial arts throughout high school and college, including American Shotokan Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate and boxing. He has a 1st degree black belt in U.S. Modern Hapkido and is a certified Weapons Instructor for the Scientific Fighting Congress. Eric is a 1993 graduate of Kansas University and is an executive at a large KC area business.

Roger was one of our first Krav Maga Instructors, becoming certified in August 2002. He is also a member of the Krav Maga KC Fight team, with amateur fights in Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts. In addition to training students in Krav Maga self defense, Roger is an instructor for our Fight training program, teaching students basic and advanced fight skills. Roger is a graduate of Kansas University where he received his Bachelors degree in Exercise Physiology and has been a Personal Trainer since 1993.

Erik is a Sergeant with the Overland Park Police Department with over 14 years of Law Enforcement experience. Erik is a certified Instructor for Krav Maga Force Training Division and coordinates the Defensive Tactics program for the Overland Park Police Department. Erik also teaches Law-Enforcement only classes at the Center. Erik has been a certified Krav Maga instructor since 2003 and teaches self-defense classes and Personal Safety Seminars.

Derek’s 8-years of military service included four years with the 75th Ranger Regiment. After military service, he was co-owner of a security company that specialized in high-risk services including protective details, bond retrieval, surveillance and nightclub security. Derek’s instructor background includes NLTEC Knife Defense Instructor, NLETC Handgun Retention Instructor, NLTEC Power Handcuffing Instructor and NLTEC Control/Defensive Tactics Instructor, and firearms instructor.

Derek has trained in Krav Maga since July 2002 and has amateur fighter experience in MMA, Muay Thai and Boxing. His military, security, instructor and fight experience has made him a strong instructor for our Fight training program. In addition to teaching fight classes to our students, he works with Steve Woolridge to train and manage our Krav Maga KC Fight team. Derek is a graduate of Devry, is currently working on his MBA, and works as a Systems Analyst for a local Fortune 500 company.

Bret has been training in Krav Maga with us since 2002 and became an instructor in January 2006. In addition to Krav Maga, Bret has 11 years of martial arts training. He has a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and was a Tae Kwon Do instructor for several years. Bret is a graduate of Kansas University and is a small business owner.

Steve has been training in Krav Maga since early 2004 and became an instructor in January 2006. His athletic background includes years playing basketball, football, baseball and weight training.

Steve is very active in charity work including Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for The Will to Succeed Foundation (a foundation created by Will Shields, Pro-Bowl right guard for the Kansas City Chiefs) benefiting battered and abused women and children. Steve is a 1993 graduate of the University of Missouri and is a Managing Director focusing on commercial real estate lending nationwide for a large Life Insurance/Financial Services company.

Chris is a Kansas City, Missouri, police officer—one of two police officers we have on staff. He has been training in Krav Maga since January 2002, becoming an instructor in August 2002. In addition to teaching Self-defense classes, Chris assists with Personal Safety seminars. Known for his strong wrestling background and innovative drills, Chris motivates his students to give 100% at all times. Be prepared for a grueling warm up!