Bob White's Kenpo Karate - Our Instructors

Pat Salantri is a 6th Degree Black Belt with over twenty-four years experience in Kenpo Karate. He was a personal student under Grand Master Ed Parker. He is continuing his Kenpo training under the guidance of his two Kenpo instructors; Professor Bob White, 9th Degree Black Belt, and Professor John Sepulveda, 9th Degree Black Belt.

Always trying to improve in his Kenpo, Mr. Salantri cross-trains in several Martial Arts. He has spent two years studying Pentjak Silat Serak; he is currently training in Balika-Jujitsu, KALI, Cobra-Silat, and Edged weapons, under Guru John McCurry at the Academy of Combat Blade Arts.

Mr. Salantri has a Masters Degree in Education and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and History.

Mike Pombeiro

We are happy to welcome Mike Pombeiro as an instructor to our school. Mike comes to us with over 25 years of martial arts experience. He holds 3rd degree Black Belts in both American Kenpo and Chinese Kenpo.

Mike has won almost every major tournament nationally and internationally and has fought against competitors from over 20 countries.

He has been inducted into Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame for "Competitor of the Year". He is a 2 time NASKA champion and a 3 time NBL World Champion. Mike is also a WAKO gold medalist for team USA. Mike was also a member of Team Paul Mitchell which won numerous World Champion titles.

Mike will be teaching Wednesday night sparring classes as well as be available for private lessons.

Lyn Schenk

Lyn Schenk is a 3rd Degree Black belt and is a dedicated kenpoist. She takes a personal interest in developing a students abilities and confidence. We are proud to have this fine martial artist as one of our instructors.

	Bob White Passing up a professional baseball career at a young age, Professor Bob White has contributed to the art of American Kenpo for over thirty-years. On the tournament circuit, he won numerous state, national, and international fighting championships. Besides fighting on the first International Kenpo Karate Association's team that defeated the Chuck Norris team for 1st Place at the International Karate Championships, Bob White fought on the National All Star Black Belt Team, which went undefeated in 1973 and 1974. As a teacher and coach, he has consistently turned out some of the world's finest Kenpo fighters. Over the past twenty-five years, Bob White's karate school has won more than 1200 trophies at the International Karate Championships, and each year throughout the 1990s his students accounted for at least one of the Black Belt Grand Champions at the International Karate Championships. Professor White provides seminars on a wide range of Kenpo-related subjects that include sparring and special self-defense presentation. With headquarters in Costa Mesa, California, he has affiliate schools throughout the U.S. and teaches Kenpo worldwide. Besides the martial arts, Bob enjoys game fishing, running, and is an avid tennis player. He and his family live in Costa Mesa, California.
	Jamie Matthews Jamie is a 3 time World Champion who has been in martial arts for over 30 years. He is a full time karate instructor.
	Rob Fenton Rob is a mixed martial arts fighter and has fought all over the world. Mr. Fenton has been at Bob White's Karate School for over 25 years starting at 13 years old.
	Mark Lennon Mark is a long time instructor at BWKS. Mr. Lennon tested for his Black Belt in 1974 under Bob White and is one of the finest teachers there is. Mark is a great athlete and has won numerous awards in competive sports including his first 7 karate tournaments. Mark Lennon is a former International Black Belt Champion.
	Dr. Rod Smith After retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard, Rod Smith earned a Ph.D. in management at the University of California, Irvine and is currently a professor of accounting at the University of Arkansas. After some arm-twisting, Rod started studying Shotokan Karate in 1991 with his son in Northern Virginia, and then he was hooked. He joined the Bob White Karate studio in 1995 after moving to Orange County. He earned a black belt in American Kenpo in 2000.
	Tom Cammann Inspired by his son Matthew, a fellow black belt who began training with Mr. White in 1997, Tom became a student of Mr. White's in 1998. His journey has convinced him of the truth in the phrase, "Life begins at 40." Being part of the BWKS family and a student of American Kenpo has had an invaluable impact on his physical, mental, and spiritual development and fitness. Tom, his wife and two children are residents of Huntington Beach, and he's hanging onto his day job as an insurance broker so he can continue to grow as a student and instructor at BWKS. Mr. Cammann is a 2nd Degree Black Belt. Mr. Cammann is a great asset to the school and has helped many people on their journey.
	Gordon Alexander, M.S., P.E. “We are teaching children to esteem themselves.” -- Gordon Alexander, Talk So Kids Will Listen: Black Belt Thesis, May 2002. Gordon Alexander has been a student of martial arts for 11 years. He advanced to purple belt under Robert Ito in Novato, California in 1994 through 1996. In 1997 he moved to Southern California to study under Bob White, Jamie Matthew, Rob Fenton and all the great martial artists at BWKS. He currently holds the rank 2nd degree black belt. Mr. Alexander started teaching children karate in 1996 and maintains a special interest in teaching karate to both adults and children. Everyone in his family does martial arts. He had two sons aged 15 and 18 who are also black and brown belts in kenpo, respectively, and his wife, Jeanne-Marie has a purple belt in kenpo and studies Jeet Kung Do. Professionally, Mr. Alexander has advanced degrees in engineering and works as a consulting environmental engineer in Costa Mesa, California. His other interests include hiking and recovery spirituality.
	Paul Gentosi Paul Gentosi has been involved in the martial arts for eight years. He started his study of Kenpo under Mr. White in 1997. He was promoted to Black Belt by Mr. White in 2001. He has been teaching the adult beginning class for several years and thoroughly enjoys giving back to the art through teaching group classes and privates. He continues his study by attending the class whenever possible, through privates with Mr. White on a regular basis and sharing with the other instructors in the studio. He currently holds the rank of Third Degree Black Belt. His only regret is not having started in Kenpo 25 or 30 years earlier! Mr. Gentosi is married with two children and lives in Newport Beach. Professionally, he is the President of his own general contracting company specializing in commercial and multi-family construction.
	Pat Salantri Pat Salantri is a 6th Degree Black Belt with over twenty-four years experience in Kenpo Karate. He was a personal student under Grand Master Ed Parker. He is continuing his Kenpo training under the guidance of his two Kenpo instructors; Professor Bob White, 9th Degree Black Belt, and Professor John Sepulveda, 9th Degree Black Belt. Always trying to improve in his Kenpo, Mr. Salantri cross-trains in several Martial Arts. He has spent two years studying Pentjak Silat Serak; he is currently training in Balika-Jujitsu, KALI, Cobra-Silat, and Edged weapons, under Guru John McCurry at the Academy of Combat Blade Arts. Mr. Salantri has a Masters Degree in Education and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and History.
	Jesse Salinas Jesse Salinas is a 5th Degree who has been training since 1970. He is a full time kenpo instructor and has a very successful record as a fighter. Mr. Salinas has a great reputation as an excellent instructor.
	Barbara White Barbara White is a 4th degree Black Belt in Kenpo. She has been studying Kenpo since 1991. Barbara has fought on a couple of 1st place teams at the IKC's as well as winning individual tournaments as both a color belt and a black belt. She has a BSN degree from Washington State University and works part time as an RN at a local hospital. She is at the BWKS studio five days per week, training and teaching group and individual classes to children and adults.
	Virgil Bartolomucci Virgil Bartomolucci is a 4th degree Black Belt and a valued student, instructor, and friend at our school. He has been studying Kenpo since 1993. Virgil was in service to our country, serving in Vietnam during the years of 1967 and 1968, and is now in service to our studio helping children and adults in Kenpo. He is also the Director of the Bob White Invitational. Virgil lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Linda and together they own a successful graphic arts business. They have a grandson, Gino, who will most likely be one of our future black belts. We are proud to have Virgil as a part of our studio.
	Vishal Shukla Vishal Shukla began his Kenpo studies in 1988 during his senior year in college. After graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering he moved home and continued his training. In 1993, Vishal was awarded his Black belt in the Tracy System of Kenpo by Mr. David Freidberg. In 1996 Vishal relocated to Illinois for his career. While in IL, he continued his training in White Tiger Kenpo under Mr. Tom Saviano, a direct student of long time Kenpoist John McSweeney. In 1997, his career once again resulted in Vishal relocating to Southern California. He trained under Mr. Bob Leonard for a while before eventually finding his way to Bob White's Karate Studio where he is a personal student of Professor White. Vishal was honored to be promoted to 4th degree Black Belt by Professor White in December of 2002. In addition to his Engineering degree, Vishal holds graduate degrees in both Computer Science and Business. In his spare time he likes to read and collect old comic books, of which he has a collection of over 7,000.
	Sergio and Monique Correa View Sergio Correa's Resume
	Cliff Todd 3rd degree black belt instructor.
	Captain Ron Sanchez 5th degree black belt instructor. View Captain Ron Sanchez's Bio
	Karen Schuster Karen is a 3rd degree black belt, and currently an instructor at the school. Professionally, Ms. Schuster is a sales manager for a temporary housing company that finds temporary living arrangements for families who have lost their homes due to natural disasters.
	Linda Schmidt Linda's geatest achievement at Bob White's Karate, is certainly the postiive influence she instills as the instructor for the 'Beginning Children's Class'. During the last 7 years of teaching, Linda has developed a keen insight to understanding and empowering children and young adults with new levels of confidence and, all important self-esteem. She has been instrumental in helping her students succeed in various forms of cometition and achieve advanced levels of Brown and Black Belt. Linda is a former International Karate Champion and currently is a 3rd Degree Black Belt in the American Kenpo Karate System under the direction of Professor Bob White. She is an author by profession and specializes in writing Biographies and Children's Books. We are very proud of Linda's long time commitment to her Karate students, parents, and Bob White's Karate Studio.
	Gerry Schmidt Gerry has a great passion for working with new and advanced students who have a willingness to progress in their art. By nature Gerry strives for perfection and encourages the concept of: "Power Karate". As a successful inventor by profession with over 60 national and international patents, he has learned to be creative in helping students reach their maximum potential in the American Kenpo System. He earned his Black Belt from Prof. Bob White in 2004.
	Chad Michael Gundlach 3 rd Degree Black belt Chad Gundlach has been a student of martial arts for 20 years. He received his first degree Black Belt from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in 1991 in Okinawan Kenpo. After graduating, Chad moved to Orange County and was exposed to Kenpo Karate for the first time. In 1995, he began to study under Bob White, in Costa Mesa. Shortly after joining, he began teaching classes with an emphasis on kicking. Today, Mr. Gundlach holds the rank of 3 rd Degree Black Belt. He has been married to his wife Charlene, for 10 years and has two sons, Jacob and Luke. Jacob, now 6, currently holds a rank of yellow belt at BWKS. Professionally, Mr. Gundlach is the Director of Product Development for an Irvine based company. His other interests include playing hockey and backpacking.
	Dan Hennes Dan is a former IKC Champion and started with Mr. White in 1969 at the Ed Parker school in Garden Grove, Ca.
	Jerry Skoda A new black belt at our school but a great instructor. Jerry is a former college football player and fights on the black belt circuit.
	Jim Harryman Mr. Harryman is a 30 year black belt and is a former IKC Champion. He defeated Billy Blanks at the Internationals in 1982. He is one of the best black belt fighters I have seen.
	Andrea Pfefer Andrea Pfefer has been a student of Bob White and Kenpo Karate for over 20 years. Ms. Pfefer is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt. She has been the Inter-national champion six times and has won more than 100 1st place trophies in her tournament career. She is the owner of the Telluride Karate Studio, where her main focus is to instill in her students the knowledge she gained from the many champions at Bob White's Karate. www.telluridekarate.com
	Don Coursey Don Coursey is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and is the father of 3 black belt children. He has been an instructor at BWKS for many years. Don is a fine athlete and was a first place winner at this years IKC`s.
	Michael McDaniels Michael McDaniels started at BWKS when he was 4 yrs. old. He has won many tournaments and has gone on to be a very successful high school athlete. This will be Michael`s 4th year on varsity baseball and 3rd year on varsity basketball. We are proud of Michaels success and we are very happy to have him as an instructor at BWKS.
	Bob Wright Bob Wright has been an instructor at BWKS for 14 years. He was a head instructor at our Irvine school and has taught in Costa Mesa as well. Mr. Wright is an outstanding athlete and had great success as a teacher as well as a fighter. Bob can either be found in the water surfing or in the studio training. He is a great example of being in service to our students. We are very proud to have him at our school.
	Jim McClure Born and raised in Southern California, Professor Jim McClure has always been an active participant in the physical sciences that we call sports. Starting with soccer, then football, and finally Kenpo Karate, Mr. McClure has excelled personally and then raised the level of performance of his peers by his positive energy and willingness to simply "put the work in necessary to acheive greatness." An International Karate Champion in every belt division-(White, Brown, and Black) Mr. McClure has proven to all comers the validity of Professor White's concepts and martial theory. Jim McClure has studied with Mr. White since 1981 and was promoted to the rank of 5th Degree Black by Mr. White with the approval of the American Kenpo Senior Council after testing in Wichita Kansas in 1995. Recently promoted to the rank of 6th Degree, Professor McClure continues to teach private and group classes three nights a week at BWKS on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights.
	Alia [White] Cass Alia was raised in the karate studio and has been teaching for many years. She is a former IKC champion and loves sharing her knowledge with her students. Alia is married and owns a home in Fullerton, CA.
	Mike Pombeiro We are happy to welcome Mike Pombeiro as an instructor to our school. Mike comes to us with over 25 years of martial arts experience. He holds 3rd degree Black Belts in both American Kenpo and Chinese Kenpo. Mike has won almost every major tournament nationally and internationally and has fought against competitors from over 20 countries. He has been inducted into Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame for "Competitor of the Year". He is a 2 time NASKA champion and a 3 time NBL World Champion. Mike is also a WAKO gold medalist for team USA. Mike was also a member of Team Paul Mitchell which won numerous World Champion titles. Mike will be teaching Wednesday night sparring classes as well as be available for private lessons.
	Lyn Schenk Lyn Schenk is a 3rd Degree Black belt and is a dedicated kenpoist. She takes a personal interest in developing a students abilities and confidence. We are proud to have this fine martial artist as one of our instructors.
	Pat Ramirez Pat Ramirez, 3rd Degree black belt, has been training here at BWKS since 1996. She began teaching as a green belt. Pat has won the IKC's both individually and on teams. Pat is a licenced Psychiatric Technition and has worked with the developmentally disabled for thirty years. Pat is a valuable member of the BWKS staff.
	Ruben Dominguez
	Gino Future BWKS Black Belt Instructor, 2026