Mike began his martial arts training as an activity where he could exercise and spend time doing something fun while meeting new friends.  He trained in Hapkido under Master Woo, Kwang Weon, at the Yong In Martial Arts Academy.  Yong In is a major university originated in Seoul, Korea, and has since relocated to the Gyeonggi province in South Korea.  Mike was taught the curriculum that was taught at the University and earned up to his 2^nd Dan (degree) black belt from Yong In.

Mike continued his training by attending as many seminars as possible.  At a 4 day friendship seminar in Ocala, Florida, Mike met Master Holcombe Thomas and they became good friends.  Mike instantly found his new mentor and began to train at the Northern Virginia Hapkido Academy with Holcombe and Larry.  Mike has since earned his 4^th Dan from the Korea Hapkido Federation, Kyung Mu Kwan, under Master Thomas who continues to train him.

Mike is a police officer for Arlington County and is a Department of Criminal Justice Services certified general and defensive tactics instructor.  He is a certified ground combat survival instructor through Northcentral Technical College Red Man training division.  Mike is currently assigned as an instructor at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy and is a part of the defensive tactics instructor team for his Department.  He is also the Department’s only certified International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) instructor.

Because of Mike’s position, he has been dubbed “the field tester” by the NVHA.  He has the distinct honor of using his skills to protect and serve the citizens of Arlington County, and report back to the class what works well and what does not.  Mike has taught in several venues; important courses he continues to conduct are the safety seminars for Marymount University students, as he is the University’s police liaison.