USAF Governance

Chief Instructor and Technical Director of the USAF:

Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Hachidan, 8th dan


New York Aikikai
 www.nyaikikai.com

In 1955, at the age of 18, Yamada Sensei was accepted in the Hombu Dojo uchi-deshi program (live-in apprentice) to study directly with O-Sensei, the founder of Aikido. In addition to O-Sensei, he also studied under Kissomaru Ueshiba, Koichi Tohei and Kisaburo Osawa.  An invitation to demonstrate Aikido at the 1964 World’s Fair brought Yamada Sensei to New York City. He stayed on to become Chief Instructor at the New York Aikikai. By 1972 he already assumed his role as Aikido ambassador to the world at large, introducing his vigorous, inspiring and joyful teaching style to thousands of appreciative students on practically every continent.

Technical Committee:

The Technical Committee is comprised of a select number of USAF Shihan (master instructor certified through Doshu, Hombu Dojo) who have dedicated their lives to the practice and instruction of Aikido. They are responsible for overseeing that the technical standards of the USAF are upheld, and are regularly invited to instruct Aikido seminars around the world. There are many criteria to be eligible for Technical Committee members, in addition but not limited to the title of Shihan and the rank of 7th dan.

Chairman:  Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan, Hachidan, 8th dan (yamadasensei@usaikifed.com)

New York Aikikai
www.nyaikikai.com

(see above)

Seiichi Sugano Shihan, Hachidan, 8th dan In Memorium
New York Aikikai
www.nyaikikai.com

Born in 1939 in Otaru, Hokkaido, Sugano Sensei had been studying judo for six years when he read about Aikido in a magazine and went to Hombu Dojo in 1957 to begin his training. After about a year, he entered the uchi deshi program. In 1965, he moved to Australia, staying for thirteen years and establishing a strong base of Aikido practitioners. He then moved to Belgium, and began teaching throughout Europe before coming to New York City and the New York Aikikai in the late 80’s. Like his friend and colleague, Yamada Sensei, Sugano Sensei travels the world regularly, teaching Aikido and inspiring his students.

Sugano Sensei passed away on August 29, 2010.

Harvey Konigsberg Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (carkah@msn.com)

Woodstock Aikido
www.woodstockaikido.com

Konigsberg Sensei is Chief Instructor of Woodstock Aikido. He began practicing Aikido in 1965. He was one of the original students of Yamada Sensei at the New York Aikikai in Manhattan. Konigsberg Sensei continues to teach regularly at the New York Aikikai as well as seminars throughout the US, Europe and Latin America. In addition to being one of the foremost Aikidoists in the US, Konigsberg Sensei is a renowned painter whose works have been shown throughout the world.

Claude Berthiaume Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (claudeadlm@gmail.com)
Aikido de la Montagne
www.aikidodelamontagne.com

Berthiaume Sensei began practicing Aikido at the age of 17 under the direction of René Gauvin. When Gauvin Sensei retired in 1972, Berthiaume Sensei joined the Montreal Aikikai, directed by Massimo Di Villadorata. In 1974, he obtained his black belt and became the first Aikido instructor of the Service Des Sports at Université du Québec à Montréal, where he was finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. As a student he was a close disciple of the late Kanai Sensei and a student of Yamada Sensei. He has traveled extensively in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, South America and various European countries, attending over twenty seminars every year. In 1988, Berthiaume Sensei became the chief instructor of Aikido de la Montagne. He continues to lead seminars regularly throughout the US, Canada and Europe. In addition, Sensei Berthiaume holds the rank of 6th dan in Iaido and is Technical Director of the Kiyoikaze Association.

Peter Bernath Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (bernath@bellsouth.net)
Florida Aikikai
www.floridaaikikai.com

Chief instructor of Florida Aikikai, Bernath Sensei also holds a Shodan in Iaido. Bernath Sensei started his Aikido career in 1972 under the direction of Yamada Sensei, and was an instructor at New York Aikikai prior to being sent by Yamada Sensei to open Florida Aikikai in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bernath Sensei has traveled extensively throughout the world including Europe and Japan, and has been fortunate to study under many of O-sensei’s most famous disciples, including Kisshomaru and Moriteru Ueshiba, the second and third Doshu (leader of Aikido). Bernath Sensei is one of the most highly respected Aikido instructors in the United States and regularly teaches seminars throughout the USAF, Canada, Latin America and Europe.

Donovan Waite Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan In memorium, February 22, 2021

Aikido of Greater Philadelphia
www.aikidogreaterphila.com

Waite Sensei started practicing Aikido in 1969 in Birmingham, England and received his 1st dan when he was 14. In 1984 he moved to New York City to be an “uchi deshi” or live in student, under Yamada Sensei at the New York Aikikai. Since 1997 Waite Sensei has been the chief instructor of Aikido of Center City in Philadelphia. He still teaches regularly at the New York Aikikai. Waite Sensei travels extensively throughout the world teaching Aikido. He has conducted seminars in North, Central, & South America, Europe, Russia, the Middle East, & Southeast Asia.

Andy Demko Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (aikidoncpa@yahoo.com)
Aikido of New Castle
www.aikidoncpa.com

Demko Sensei started Aikido in 1966 in Youngstown, Ohio with Peter Takach and Charles Cycyk. They were pioneers of the art in the 60’s and learned Aikido from a book. Demko Sensei met Yamada Sensei in 1966 and became his student. He established New Castle Aikikai in 1971. Through Yamada Sensei, Demko Sensei has met and trained with many of O-sensei’s direct students including Koichi Tohei Sensei, the second and third Doshu, Saito Sensei, Kanai Sensei, Chiba Sensei, and Sugano Sensei. Demko Sensei has been a member of the USAF since it its beginning and served as a member of the Board of Governors until he was appointed to the Technical Committee. He teaches actively throughout the East Coast and Midwest and conducts seminars within the USAF.

Steve Pimsler Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (steve@nyaikikai.com)

New York Aikikai
www.nyaikikai.com

Steve Pimsler Sensei started aikido at New York Aikikai in 1974, later becoming an uchi-deshi for four years, during which he travelled with Yamada Sensei as “otomo” (traveling apprentice). Pimsler Sensei assisted Yamada Sensei in setting up the United States Aikido Federation and served as its first treasurer. He also co-authored Yamada Sensei’s book, Ultimate Aikido.

Pimsler Sensei began teaching at the New York Aikikai in 1978, and continues to bring discipline and intensive energy to the mat. Alongside Yamada Sensei, he also teaches the special bi-monthly beginner’s classes, conveying fundamentals with distinctive clarity. When not at the dojo, he helps run a small advertising agency in the city. And when not at either place, he’s at home with his wife Cheryl (they met at the dojo, she holds the rank of nidan) and two giants, Sam and Ari, who claim to be his sons.

effective 11/6/2020

Board of Directors:

ChairmanGeorge Kennedy Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan
  (kennedyshihan@gmail.com)

Aikido Center of Atlanta 
www.aikidoatlanta.com

George Kennedy Sensei began his aikido training in 1972 at the Aikido Center of Atlanta and became Chief Instructor and Dojo-cho in 1989. Kennedy Sensei is chair of the Dispute Resolution Committee and is the main author of the USAF Student Guide. In addition to being a professional artist, Kennedy Sensei has developed Aikido-based defensive tactics courses for Law Enforcement and continues to be a contributing member of the Georgia Association of Defensive Tactics Instructors. His background reflects his belief that Aikido is both an effective method of self-defense and a path of peace and reconciliation

 

Treasurer
: Julia Freedgood Shidoin, Rokudan, 6th dan (jfreedgood@gmail.com)

Valley Aikido  www.valleyaikido.org

Freedgood sensei began Aikido in 1982 at Amherst Aikikai, under P. Sylvain and L. Dianne, direct students of Chiba Sensei. She studied under Kanai Sensei from 1984 – 1988 and, thanks to the USAF, over the years has had the opportunity to meet and learn from many of O-sensei’s direct students including Chiba Sensei, Shibata Sensei, Sugano Sensei, Tohei Sensei, and the second and third Doshu. She helped Sylvain Sensei found Valley Aikido in 1985 and assumed its leadership upon his death in 1996. Now a student of Yamada Sensei, she serves as Dojo Cho of Valley Aikido in Northampton MA.

 

Secretary:  Raymond Farinato Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (raymondf@optonline.net)

Aikido of Fairfield County  www.aikidofc.com

Ray Farinato, holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and is certified as a Shihan (Master Teacher) by the United States Aikido Federation. He has trained in Aikido since 1973 and has been fortunate to study with many Aikido masters in the United States and in Japan

 

Honorary Member: Michael Abrams Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan


New York Aikikai
 www.nyaikikai.com

Mike Abrams Sensei played a major role in the development of the New York Aikikai. He started training in New York City in 1964 and has trained, traveled and taught seminars around the world and has been fortunate enough to have attended classes taught by O -Sensei. Abrams Sensei is Chairman Emeritus of the United States Aikido Federation and remains a trusted Advisor.

 

Directors (In alphabetical order)

Peter Bernath Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (bernath@bellsouth.net)

Florida Aikikai  www.floridaaikikai.com

Chief instructor of Florida Aikikai, Bernath Sensei also holds a Shodan in Iaido. Bernath Sensei started his Aikido career in 1972 under the direction of Yamada Sensei, and was an instructor at New York Aikikai prior to being sent by Yamada Sensei to open Florida Aikikai in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bernath Sensei has traveled extensively throughout the world including Europe and Japan, and has been fortunate to study under many of O-sensei’s most famous disciples, including Kisshomaru and Moriteru Ueshiba, the second and third Doshu (leader of Aikido). Bernath Sensei is one of the most highly respected Aikido instructors in the United States and regularly teaches seminars throughout the USAF, Canada, Latin America and Europe; he is also a member of the USAF Technical Committee.

 

Claude Berthiaume Shihan, Nanadan, 7th dan (claudeadlm@gmail.com)

Aikido de la Montagne  www.aikidodelamontagne.com

Berthiaume Sensei began practicing Aikido at the age of 17 under the direction of René Gauvin. When Gauvin Sensei retired in 1972, Berthiaume Sensei joined the Montreal Aikikai, directed by Massimo Di Villadorata. In 1974, he obtained his black belt and became the first Aikido instructor of the Service Des Sports at Université du Québec à Montréal, where he was finishing his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. As a student he was a close disciple of the late Kanai Sensei and a student of Yamada Sensei. He has traveled extensively in Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, South America and various European countries, attending over twenty seminars every year. In 1988, Berthiaume Sensei became the chief instructor of Aikido de la Montagne. He continues to lead seminars regularly throughout the US, Canada and Europe. In addition, Sensei Berthiaume holds the rank of 6th dan in Iaido and is Technical Director of the Kiyoikaze Association and is a member of the USAF Technical Committee.

 

Paul Forhan Shidoin, Godan, 5th dan (pfor4@hotmail.com)

Aikido of El Paso 
www.aikidoofelpaso.org

Paul Forhan Sensei began studying marital arts in 1965 and training in Aikido in 1990. Paul’s close association with New York Aikikai began in 1990, where he lived at the dojo part time and regularly regularly under Yamada Sensei. Paul travels worldwide to attend numerous seminars with various Shihan.

 

Blue Spruell Shidoin, Rokudan, 6th dan (blue@outlawfirm.com)

Peachtree Aikikai Atlanta  www.peachtreeaikikai.com

Blue Spruell Sensei is Chief Instructor of Peachtree Aikikai Atlanta.  He began his Aikido training under Masahiro Okada Shihan and Katsuya Nakamura Shihan in 1988 in Japan, where he lived and trained for five years before returning to Atlanta to co-found his first dojo, Dogwood Aikikai.  He traveled extensively to train under Mitsunari Kanai Shihan and continues to train under Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan.  Spruell Sensei also holds 5th dan rank in Kyudo as well as Iaido and is a Board member of Kiyoikaze Iaido Federation.  Off the mat, Spruell Sensei is a trial lawyer and certified mediator, specializing in civil and domestic litigation: www.outlawfirm.com.  He lives in Atlanta with his wife and two children.

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