Our instructors
Chief Instructor Bill Wegener
Mr. Wegener has over 30 years experience training in martial arts. He is a certified 4th degree black belt in Hapkido, Korea's elite system of self defense. He received his 1st and 2nd DAN black belts from Master Sung Jun Yi of the Korea Hapkido Federation. He received his 3rd DAN black belt from Master Jino Kang and his father, Grandmaster Myung Sung Kang of the International Hapkido Federation. His 4th DAN was awarded to him by the American Tiger Hapkido Federation. In addition to Hapkido, Mr. Wegener has trained extensively in other combat styles such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Kali-Eskrima, and Jeet Kune Do.
Senior Instructor Lorinzo McCoy
Lorinzo McCoy is one of just a few American instructors who was trained in Hapkido's native land of Korea. While stationed there for the U.S. Army, Mr. McCoy earned his 1st and 2nd DAN black belts from the original Korea Hapkido Association. Upon returning to the U.S., Lorinzo continued his Hapkido training and received his 3rd DAN from 7th degreee Master Jino Kang of the International Hapkido Federation. He also spent time as a combatives instructor for the U.S. Army, and was a defensive tactics instructor for the Northeast Multi-Regional Training Association (N.E.M.R.T) for law enforcement personnel.
Senior Instructor Erik Valdivia
Master Erik was a long time student of Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do Master Sung Jun Yi. He is a certified 3rd DAN black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and 4th DAN in Hapkido under 7th DAN Master Jino Kang of the International Hapkido Federation. Mr. Valdivia has attended and instructed many martial arts and self defense seminars over the years. He was most recently Head Instructor for the Schaumburg Illinois Park District's Hapkido self defense program.
Senior Instructor Pete Farmer
Peter Farmer was part of the first group of students to go from white belt (beginner) status all the
way to black belt in Hapkido, under the instruction of Bill Wegener, Erik Valdivia, and Lorinzo
McCoy. Now a second dan black belt under Master Jino Kang, Mr. Farmer has a total of more
than twenty years experience in martial arts, primarily in Hapkido but also Judo, Karate and
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After starting as a student, Mr. Farmer rose to become an instructor himself,
and has taught many Hapkido students as well as seminars/classes in such subjects as street defense and women's self-defense.