UKF FOUNDERS
Grandmaster Mitch Powell
Mitch Powell is the official Historian for KSDI and Executive Council Chairman for the United Kajukenbo Federation. He is a lifelong Kajukenbo practitioner who holds the rank of 9th Degree Red/Silver Belt in Kajukenbo with the title of Grandmaster.
Grandmaster Powell began training in Kajukenbo in 1975 and received his formal training from Ahgung Tony Ramos, Sr. Grandmaster Calvin Shin, Sr. Grandmaster Emil Bautista, Great Grandmaster Joe Davis, and Sr. Grandmaster Ted Sotelo.
Grandmaster Powell has been married to his wife Angela since 1982 and they have two sons, Matthew, and Dean, who are both Emperado Method Kajukenbo black belts.
Grandmaster Powell is a retired sergeant with the Oakland Police Department in Oakland, California and holds an associate degree in Psychology, a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management, and a master’s degree in Liberal Studies/Criminal Justice.
In addition to training in Kajukenbo, Grandmaster Powell trains in Cacoy Canete Doce Pares under Sr. Grandmaster Ron Lew.
Sr. Professor Dennis Peterson
Dennis Peterson is the Executive Council Vice Chairman for the United Kajukenbo Federation who holds the rank of 8th Degree Red/Black Belt in Kajukenbo with the title of Sr. Professor.
Sr. Professor Peterson began martial arts training at age 12 in Hung Gar Kung Fu under Sifu Bill Steele, and in 1979, earned a black sash.
In 1982, Sr. Professor Peterson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he crossed Libya’s “Line of Death” and assisted in freeing the Italian hostages from the hijacked MS Achille Lauro. Sr. Professor. Peterson also saw action in Beirut, Lebanon, as a Combat Engineer. He was honorably discharged in 1986.
After serving his country, Sr. Professor Peterson coached wrestling at Livermore High School, where the school earned recognition numerous times as the undefeated East Bay Athletic League Champions.
Sr. Professor Peterson began training in Kajukenbo in the early 1990s, and has received instruction from Grandmaster Tami Whelan, Sr. Grandmaster Emil Bautista, Great Grandmaster Joe Davis, and Grandmaster Mitch Powell.
In 2010, Sr. Professor Peterson opened Peterson’s Mixed Martial Arts Academy and holds classes at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL), where he works as an Intelligence Analyst.
Sr. Professor Peterson served the Brentwood community for a decade as a reserve police officer and used those skills to teach protective forces at the LLNL.
Besides his training in Hung Gar and Kajukenbo, Sr. Professor Peterson has earned a brown belt in Shoshin Ryu Jiu-jitsu under Sensei Glen Nagasaki, and a green belt in Darcio Lira Traditional Brazilian Jiu-jitsu under Sensei Darlynson Lira.
Professor Al Saddler
Al Saddler is an Executive Council Director for the United Kajukenbo Federation and holds the rank of 8thDegree Red/Black Belt in Kajukenbo with the title of Professor.
Professor Saddler began training in Kajukenbo under his father as a child, and in 1992, was sent by his father to train with Sr. Grandmaster Emil Bautista, where Professor Saddler went on to earn his black belt and advanced ranks up to 5th degree.
In 2005, Professor Saddler went under Grandmaster Mitch Powell where he went on to receive his 6th, 7th and 8th degrees.
Professor Saddler comes from a long line of Kajukenbo practitioners, starting with his Grandfather the late KSDI Great Grandmaster George Pauly Seronio, who was a direct student of Sijo Adriano Emperado and Great Grandmaster Joe Emperado, and one of the first black belt instructors from the Palama Settlement School in Oahu, HI. A couple of notable students of Great Grandmaster Seronio’s are Professor Saddler’s uncle, Ahgung Tony Ramos, and Great Grandmaster Charles Gaylord.
Throughout his years of training, Professor Saddler was also fortunate to also be under the tutelage of his uncle, Kajukenbo Sr. Grandmaster John Ramos.
In addition to his Kajukenbo training, Professor Saddler is a student of Grandmaster Wally Estropia, training in Cacoy Canete Doce Pares.
Professor Saddler is an Operations Manager with FedEx Express where he has been employed since 1989.
Professor Walt Schuld
Walt Schuld is an Executive Council Director for the United Kajukenbo Federation and holds the rank of 8th Degree Red/Black belt in Kajukenbo with the title of Professor.
Professor Schuld is a former wrestler who has been practicing Kajukenbo for over 30 years. He is a retired Chief of Police who also served as the Assistant City Manager with the city of San Pablo, California.
Professor Schuld holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice, a bachelor’s degree in Management, and an associate degree in Police Science.
Associate Professor Sam Carter
Sam Carter is an Execute Council Director for the United Kajukenbo Federation and holds the rank of 8th Degree red belt/black trim with the title of Associate Professor. He has been involved in Kajukenbo most of his life, starting his training at the age of seven. Associate Professor Carter is a veteran of the U.S. Army and a former police officer.