Below is a short biography of the instructors at American Kenpo Karate Martial Arts.
Black Belt Instructors
Chris Crews began studying martial arts at the age of 16 with an Okinowan  family art that was an off-shoot of Kenpo. Next he studied Shodokan for five years, and then Okinowan Shorin-ryu for four years. During this time he also practiced Wing-Chung. He moved to Montana in 1981 and began studying Kenpo. After receiving his first black belt in 1985 he opened the American Kenpo Karate school in Missoula with his wife Pattie. He met Mr. Ed Parker in 1986 and studied with him whenever possible, and Mr. Parker promoted him to 2nd degree black in 1989. He received his last lesson from Mr. Parker on December 14, 1990 - the day before his death. Mr. Parker connected him with Mr. Skip Hancock of Spokane, Washington, who promoted Chris to the rank of 3rd black in 2000. He has won numerous competitions in both forms and sparring, and has been a center judge at the Super Grands for the last five years. Chris Crews continues his Kenpo training, and also works with Si-Gung Antiwone Alferos on Chi-gung, Mok-gar, and Phillipino knife arts. In June, 2003 Chris also began studying with sword master Russell McCarthy Sensei. In November of 2003, Chris tested and received his 4th degree black belt from the Whipping Willow Association, which he is currently a member and the Northwest Regional representative. |
Pattie Crews studied Shodokan for five years, Okinowan Shorin-ryu for four  years, and then began studying Kenpo in 1982. After moving to Missoula in 1985 she opened the American Kenpo Karate school with her husband Chris. She received her 1st black belt in 1991 and her 2nd degree black in 2000. Pattie has taught many women self-defense classes for a variety of organizations in Missoula. In 2003 she began studying with Si-Gung Antiwone Alferos on Chi-gung, Mok-gar, and Phillipino knife arts and with sword master Russell McCarthy Sensei. She has won many competitions in both forms and sparring, and has been a center judge at the Super Grands for the last five years. In April of 2004, Pattie tested and received her 3rd black belt from the Whipping Willow Association. |
Dan Morlock is a 3rd degree black belt and has practiced Kenpo for twenty years,  and has also studied Tae Kwon Do and wrestled all four years in high school. He began studying with Mr. Crews in 1986 and received his 1st degree black belt in 1993 - the first from this school. For those seven years he assisted in every aspect of the school. He received his 2nd degree black belt from Mr. Skip Hancock, and in September of 2005 earned his 3rd degree black belt. |
Taz Oliver is a 1st degree black belt, has practiced Kenpo since 1994, and has  competed in numerous tournaments in the western United States. He is a firefighter with the Missoula Rural Fire Department, a CPR instructor, and enjoys being active in the outdoors. In addition to his Kenpo practice, Taz has explored Chi-gung and grappling. His favorite saying is “To hear is to doubt, to see is to be deceived, but to feel is to believe,” and follows the philosophy that “hard work and dedication will give you many rewards.” |
Nicholas VanHole is a first degree black belt that has practiced Kenpo since |
Kirby Whetstine has practiced Kenpo for ten years and received his 1st black  belt from Mr. Crews in May 2003 and his 2nd degree in September 2005. He began studying Lima Lama and knife techniques as a teenager. Kirby didn’t practice martial arts for a time, and then began Kenpo under Mr. Herb Steet. He joined this school when he moved to Missoula. Kirby trains regularly with sticks and knives. He has a great deal of interest in the street logic of self-defense, and has studied Aikido under Raso Hultgren Sensei as well. |
Assistant Instructors
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Jeff Enockson is a brown belt in Kenpo, and has practiced for over five
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Rob Gallimore is a purple belt in Kenpo. Over the years he has  studied several other styles of self-defense, and holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. |
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Jennifer Mahler is an assistant instructor in the children's program and is a |
Michael Rea is an orange belt at the school and assistant instructor in the children's |
1994. He began his studies in Boise, Idaho with Professor Steven G. Moore and Ms. Denise Plowman. He 2001 he moved to Missoula and has proudly continued his instruction at AKK Martial Arts under Sibok Chris Crews. Nick is head instructor of the children's program at the school. 
years. He assists in the teaching and running of the children’s program at AKK Martial Arts. Training and teaching are very important to him, and he is at the school several nights a week. In addition to his Kenpo practice, he also enjoys Brazilian Jujitsu. 
blue belt. She began practicing Kenpo over four years ago to increase the physical, emotional, and spiritual balance of her life. This balance is currently at the greatest of her life, and she credits her involvement with the school as one of the reasons. A mother of two, her children and husband are also members of the school. 
program. Born and raised in Missoula, he is studying to become a fireman.