About Us | US Martial Arts Academy

Our additional staff consists of full-time paid and part-time volunteer instructors along with administrative specialists. High-ranking Junior students also assist with the Youth and Little Grasshoppers in order to maintain a high instructor-to-student ratio for those classes.

Invitation to join staff is on a selective basis dependent on:
*Extensive knowledge of school curriculum
*Demonstrated excellence in technique mastery
*Dedication to continual training
*Strong teaching and interpersonal skills
*Adherence to the Academy's stated values

Instructors receive continual ongoing training apart from regular classes in student management, effective instruction and the business of running a martial arts school.

MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTORS

Jason Reynolds, Chief Instructor

Jason Reynolds has been studying martial arts for close to 19 years. He currently holds the rank of Third Degree Black Belt in Ryu Kyu Kempo and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jason serves as the dojo's vice president. He enjoys teaching a fun class but simultaneously never loses sight of disciplined instruction with good technique. Prior to devoting himself full-time to the USMAA, Jason worked at P&G in A/V and electrical specializations.

Matthew Rowland

Matt has been a student of the USMAA since 2001, earning Youth, Junior and Adult Black Belts. He began as an assistant in 2005 and was made an Instructor in 2012. Matt is currently a Third Degree Black Belt in Ryu Kyu Kempo and enjoys teaching students of all ages. He is a full-time engineer for GE Aerospace specializing in fluid dynamics.

Kym Smith

Kym has trained at the USMAA for eight years and has served as an instructor and office administrator for three. She is rapidly approaching her Black Belt in Ryuku Kempo. She is married with one daughter who also trains at the school. Kym is a full-time accountant with CCMS.

Mark Magna

Mark joined USMAA in 2011, earning his Black Belt in 2017 and his First Degree Black Belt in 2021. Mark has been an Instructor since 2016. His son Samuel was the school's youngest adult Black Belt at 14 years old.Mark is an employee of Anderson Township.

Jason Carleski

Jason began his martial arts training in 1995 in response to middle-school bullying. He earned his Second Degree Black Belt in Shuri-Ryu Karate in 2002, teaching martial arts all throughout college, and earned his Black Belt in Ryukyu Kempo at USMAA in 2025. Jason is a former analytical chemist, current industrial hygienist for Thermo Fisher Scientific and webmaster for the dojo. His son Josh also trains at USMAA.

Sam Collier

Sam Collier, a former Marine, has been with USMAA for about six years. He loves to teach the younger generation, watching them acheive more and more as they advance through the Youth and Junior programs into Adult Martial Arts. Sam credits his USMAA training with providing him confidence, self-defense skills and the ability to overcome setbacks. Sam will be testing for his Black Belt in Ryu Kyu Kempo soon, cheered on by his partner and two children, who also train at the school.

Bill Stagge

Bill started his martial arts journey in the early 1990s, studying Matsubayashi Ryu Karate and Penjak Silat Bukti Negara under Sensei-Guru Bruce Crutchfield. When not training at USMAA or chasing his two children, Mia and DJ, he works for Midwest Eye Center in their call center.

BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU INSTRUCTORS

Kemal Catalan

(Bio Under Construction)

Nate Lynch

Nate Lynch was first introduced to BJJ in the 1990s, via a UFC VHS tape from Blockbuster. Nate's lifelong passion for grappling arts began with wrestling in high school and has continued ever since. He has trained at the Pedro Sauer Association, Walt Bayless Combat Jiu-Jitsu and with Jorge Gurgel. He has competed in both BJJ and MMA. Over 20 years' time, Nate led three different schools to achieve their highest finishes in district wrestling tournaments. He progressed to the rank of Black Belt under Professor Tester and Vitor Ribeiro. Nate is as a teacher at Anderson High School facilitating the Teacher Academy program, an adjunct faculty member at Xavier University, and fronts a local cover band.

Ben Reardon