Chief Instructor: Jerry M. Lewis Roku Dan
Assistant Instructor: Brandon Baird Go Dan
Assistant Instructor: Mark Hembree Ni Dan
Assistant Instructor: Tyler Ford Sho Dan
Assistant Instructor: Ben Ford Sho Dan
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Instructors Biographies
Chief Instructor Jerry M. Lewis Roku Dan
Chief Instructor Jerry M. Lewis began his martial arts training in Isshinryu Karate in 1985. His First Sensei was Master Bill McMillan. He had the wonderful opportunity to receive several of his Kyu rank promotions from Master Harold Long, who was Master McMillan's Sensei. Mr. Lewis had the opportunity to become a full time instructor in 1992 when he received his Sho Dan. This gave him an opportunity to help train local Law enforcement in Anderson County. Mr. Lewis was a instructor with McMillan's until the closing of his dojo in 1996 when he joined the Oak Ridge Academy of Martial Arts with Doyle Seiber and Lee Sloan. Later Lewis would take over Mr. Sloans position and become partners with Master Seiber.In 2004 Lewis opened his own dojo in Halls which he currently runs four days a week.
Mr. Lewis has had recognitions in several Hall of Fames and competitions over the years. He has been recognized and inducted into: The Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame,World Karate Union Hall of Fame, World Head of Family Sokeship,Isshinryu Hall of Fame and the USIKA. He has won and competed in local,state and world tournaments for the last 24 years. Mr. Lewis currently is under instruction of Master Doyle Seiber and plans to further his knowledge in Isshinryu and share his knowledge with his students and colleagues.
Assistant Instructor Brandon Baird Go Dan
Assistant Instructor Brandon Baird began his martial arts training in Shaolin Kung Fu, under the late Master Ty Shepard. Mr. Baird would visit the McMillian School of Karate where his cousin attended and began to grow fond of what Isshinryu has to offer. It was during this time he then decided to join the dojo and this is where he met and began training with Sensei Jerry M. Lewis. He continued his training in Kung Fu until he earned his black belt and then dedicated the rest of his career to Isshinryu. During the beginning of his training he was taken under the tutelage of Master Ron Tolliver, who taught him the importance of Kata and Bunkai. Soon after Master McMillan asked Doyle Seiber to join his dojo and trained Mr. Baird even further with his kata, kobudo, and especially his fighting. Mr. Baird later trained with Sensei Darren Gilbert at his dojo, until he became an instructor for Master Seiber at the Oak Ridge Academy of Martial Arts.
Under Master Seiber's Instruction, Mr. Baird has risen to the top of the TKC,IIKA,AOKA, and NASKA rankings. He was a member of the Pepsi National Karate Team, a 2004 Olympic qualifier, and is currently a member of the IIKA 3x defending Isshinryu Team World Championship team. Over the years Mr. Baird has been recognized for his accomplishments by the Isshinryu Hall of Fame, and has been inducted into the Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame, the World Head of Family Sokeship Council Hall of Fame, and the World Karate Union Hall of Fame.
Assistant Instructor Mark Hembree Sho Dan
Assistant Instructor Mark Hembree was first introduced to the martial arts in the early 80's, by a neighbor Eddie Bilbrey a first generation student of Master Harold Long. In 1985 he started his first formal Isshinryu classes from Master Tommy True. He trained until his college career took him away. During college he was exposed to Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. Mr. Hembree attained the rank of 2nd degree black belt in Taekwondo. He was very active in competitions. Then he returned to Isshinryu Karate enrolling in the Wheelers School of Karate in 1999 where he trained with Master Allen Wheeler, Chuck Reynolds and Jim Alley. In March of 2004 he began his training at the Lewis School as a founding member. He obtained the rank of Sho Dan September of 2007. Mr. Hembree has also trained with Master Mitchum, Master Doyle Seiber and Sensei Brandon Baird. His highlight was being able to take 1st place in his first Hall of Fame tournament after joining the Lewis dojo. Since joining the Lewis dojo, he has competed in every Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament. Mr. Hembree competes in Forms, Weapons and Kumite and has placed in all. He is and excellent competitor and instructor.
Assistant Instructor Tyler Ford Sho Dan
Tyler began his training in 2004. He was one of the original members of the Halls dojo under the direction of Sensei Lewis. Mr. Ford has been a valued asset to the dojo and to the student body. He works with everyone and is a great team player. Among his many accomplishments, he has won first place in forms, weapons, & kumite. He has competed in traditional karate tournaments as well as sport jujitsu and judo events taking 1st place regardless of the style or rules. Showing his willingness to compete, Mr. Ford competed as an advanced level at the Isshinryu Karate Hall of Fame when he was a green belt and still took 1st place. He was voted as competitor of the year for 2007 for the Lewis school. He received his Sho Dan in July 2008. Competed in August 2008 at the Isshinryu Hall of Fame within a week after being promoted to Black Belt. He won his division taking home his first 1st place as a Black Belt. He is currently an assistant instructor running our Wednesdays Class.
Assistant Instructor Ben Ford
Ben first began his training in 1991 under Master Pete Mills. At that time he reached the rank of
yellow belt and abandoned his training to focus on his school work. He then resumed his training under Master Lewis shortly after his high school graduation. Ben began his tournament career very early as a white belt and found success very quickly by placing in his first tournament as a white belt. Ben was competing in weapons, kata and kumite by the time he was a orange belt. Ben has fought up to heavyweight when he had which is quite the challenge considering he is a lightweight fighter. This displays his will to compete and not settle for second best. Ben has become a great asset to the school and is becoming a leader among our dojo and community. He is now teaching our Monday night class and is making great strides as our newest sho dan.
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