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Board of Directors
Steve Coats
President
Steve Coats began his martial arts journey in 2011 under Grand Master Len Kirschbaum. Despite spastic cerebral palsy, which limits his lower body mobility and requires a wheelchair, Steve trains daily and focuses on empowering others with disabilities through self-defense training.
Steve has won numerous first-place trophies and gold medals at martial arts tournaments, including the Bluegrass State Games and Kentucky State Championships. He won the grand championship award in the weapons division at the International Fighting Arts Association (IFFA) in 2016.
Steve is co-developing Yuko ni suru, or "The Enabling Way" (a Japanese martial arts system for individuals with disabilities) with Grand Master Len Kirschbaum. This system accommodates various mobility aids, including motorized and manual wheelchairs.
As the founder and President of Disabled Martial Artists of America, Inc. (DMAA), Steve promotes martial arts inclusivity. He has earned multiple black belt degrees from the International Association of Martial Artists, Inc.: 1st degree in 2013, 2nd degree in 2016, 3rd degree in 2019, and 4th degree in 2023.
Recently, Grand Master Len Kirschbaum introduced a new ranking system for people with disabilities, featuring the Royal Belt, a blue belt with white trim and a handicapped wheelchair emblem. This belt has five degrees of proficiency, represented by gold diamonds on a blue patch, worn on the uniform jacket.
Originally from Rockwood, Tennessee.
Len Kirschbaum
CEO
Grand Master Len G. Kirschbaum, PhD, is a distinguished martial artist and leader in the Taekwon-Do community. He began his martial arts journey in 1962 with Chinese Kenpo and later trained in Japanese Shotokan and Taekwon-Do. Kirschbaum earned his TKD Black Belt in 1970 and has since achieved the 10th Degree Black Belt. He founded several organizations, including the Wisconsin Taekwon-Do Federation, the North Central Instructors Black Belt Federation, and the United States Taekwon-Do Commission. He currently serves as the President of the International Original Taekwon-Do Federation. Kirschbaum has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the International Black Belt Hall of Fame. He is also a dedicated Freemason and has held various leadership positions within the organization. Kirschbaum's commitment to martial arts and his contributions to the community have earned him a nomination for the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) Award by Grand Master Ted Gambardella.
F. Darrell Mattingly Jr.
Vice President
"Darrell" is a web designer and developer with ILSSA and NSCS at the University of Kentucky’s Human Development Institute. Prior to his work at HDI, Darrell was a server administrator and webmaster for the several projects in the University of Kentucky’s Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling. He has had considerable experience related to assistive technology given that he has cerebral palsy. He has experience working as a teaching assistant and a research assistant for The University of Kentucky. In his free time, he serves on both statewide and local councils to advance the disability community locally and state wide. He is also pursuing his passion of the martial arts, obtaining the rank of Sandan (3rd degree black) in Tracy’s Kenpo Karate in 2019. Darrell received two Bachelor’s Degrees in 1995 from The University of Kentucky—Computer Science and Mathematical Science with a minor in statistics.
Ronea Fowler
Ronea Fowler
Operations
Ronea bridges many organizational functions within DMAA. She posesses a diverse background in event planning, business marketing, web development, databases, budgeting, human resources, travel, and administration. Ronea has been instrumental in managing the organization's online presence and ensuring smooth operations, organizational flow, and advising on manpower and volunteers.. Ronea's dedication to inclusivity and empowerment through holistic healing and martial arts has made a significant impact on the community. Ronea's expertise in adaptive martial arts and commitment to providing resources for disabled individuals continues to drive the success of DMAA.
As a disabled Navy Veteran, she looks forward to increasing awareness to fellow veterans.
Originally from Chambersburg PA.
