KMLI
The Island's Premier KRAV MAGA Training Center

INSTRUCTORS & STAFF

INSTRUCTORS

Paul Benincasa - Level 2 Instructor - Paul earned his 5th kyu in Shinshin Toitsu Akido, and achieved a rank of Green belt in traditional Japanese Jiu-jitsu under Sensei Charles Walsh. Training in Krav Maga since March, 2007, Paul currently holds a Green belt. In 2008, Paul completed the 50-hour Level 1 Krav Maga Instructor Training Program, and in March 2010, he completed 60 hour Level 2 Instructor Training Program. In addition to his professional position as Supervisor in Patient Financial Services Department at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, Paul is also an artist/illustrator/cartoonist and musician, playing various NY locations with his band, Trauma Team.

Michael Blitz, Chief Instructor - Michael was awarded his Black Belt in Krav Maga in February 2005 from U.S. Chief Instructor Darren Levine. Michael completed the Comprehensive (All-Levels) Instructor Training Certification Program in 2001 under the instruction of Grand Master Haim Zut, world's highest ranking Krav Maga instructor, Chief Instructor of  the Krav Maga Academy of Israel, and  President of Krav Maga International. In 2006, Michael was recertified by Krav Maga Worldwide, receiving the "Yellow through Black Belt" Instructor Certificate from Krav Maga Worldwide/Krav Maga Association of America. 
     Michael began Krav Maga training in New York City with Rhon Mizrachi in 1994. In addition, Michael has trained at the Krav Maga National Training Center in Los Angeles with U.S. Chief Instructor Darren Levine and John Whitman, President of Krav Maga Worldwide. In 2003, Michael earned his Brown belt from Grand Master Zut and NYC Chief Instructor  Mizrachi.
     After establishing KMLI in 2001, Michael created the Israeli self defense program at the Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center in East Hills, NY and in 2003 established Long Island's first youth Krav Maga program at the Torah Academy of Long Island. In February 2005, Dr. Blitz was invited to New Zealand to train Navy Security personnel and ArmourGuard (NZ's largest private security company).  Dr. Blitz was invited back to New Zealand in July 2005 to train more ArmourGuard officers and to speak on self-defense to various security personnel groups. In addition to his Krav Maga training, Dr. Blitz has trained with Jim Wagner (Reality Based Personal Protection), completing Mr. Wagner's Ground Survival course. Dr. Blitz holds a black belt in jiu-jitsu and an honorary black belt from the Martial Arts Society at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY where he is a Professor and Chair of Interdisciplinary Studies. In 2006, Dr. Blitz designed a course on "The Use of Force in Self-Defense" for John Jay College's Department of Physical Education. He  also taught for three years at Wallkill Correctional Facility (Wallkill, NY), Fishkill Correctional Facility (Fishkill, NY), and in prison programs at Eastern State (Napanoch), Coxsackie, and Highland Detention Center for Youthful Offenders. While teaching at Fishkill Correctional  Facility, Michael completed a Riot-Response training course sponsored by the New York State Dept. of Corrections.
     Dr. Blitz has taught Krav Maga to members of Law Enforcement, military security, Federal Air Marshalls, NYC Corrections Officers, and civilians throughout Long Island and New York City and besides regular classes at KMLI, teaches many special seminars during the year. He holds a Ph.D. and is Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY. He is author of thirteen books--including Arnold Schwarzenegger: A Biography (co-authored with Louise Krasniewicz, Greenwood Press).

Michael Cohen - Level 1 Instructor - Michael completed the 50-hour Level 1 Instructor Training Seminar in January, 2010. Born in South Africa before moving to Israel, Michael served three years in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), where he received training in armed combat and in Krav Maga. He had previously trained in both judo and karate. Professionally, Michael is a Physical Therapist specializing in pediatrics and orthopedics/sports injuries. When he is not training in Krav Maga or providing therapy for others, Michael is a Triathlete, having run in 10 marathons and competed in multiple running and cycling races as well as triathlons. Michael was also the Physical Therapist for the USA team in the Maccabi games in Israel.

Fran Faustino, MD - Level 2 Instructor - Fran completed Phase A Instructor training at the Krav Maga National Training Center in Los Angeles in February, 2007 and in March 2010, he completed 60 hour Level 2 Instructor Training Program. A dedicated student of Krav, Fran has been training with Michael Blitz since 2005, and is currently working toward his Blue belt. In addtion to Krav Maga, Fran trained for two years in the Philippines in AAK Shotokan karate and holds a Green belt  (seehttp://www.aak-karate.com). Fran has also completed 2 Half-Ironman Distance Races in 2009 and is training for Ironman Lake Placid 2011. Dr. Faustino is a Family Practice physician with an office in Carle Place, Long Island.

TJ Flynn - Level 1 Instructor - TJ began his Krav Maga training in Massachussets in 2004, before moving to NY and re-starting his training at KMLI. He is currently training toward his Blue belt. He has also trained in MMA fighting. In January 2010, TJ completed the 50-hour Level 1 Instructor Training Seminar after working for the past year as an Assistant Instructor. Professionally, TJ  is a Retail Loss Prevention Supervising Investigator.

Todd Kettler - Level 2 Instructor - Todd holds a Black belt in Jiu Jitsu, and Green belts in Aiki JiuJitsu, Kempo, and Krav Maga. Todd  completed the 50-hour Level 1 Krav Maga Instructor Training Program in 2008 and in March 2010, he completed 60 hour Level 2 Instructor Training Program. Todd is a Chemistry and Forensic Science teacher at Ward Melville High School.

Tim Marinace - Level 1 Instructor - Tim completed the 50-hour Level 1 Instructor Training Seminar in January 2010. A Marine Corps veteran, Tim is a Police Sergeant and Patrol Supervisor, a former S.W.A.T. team member and police sniper. For the past ten years Sgt. Marinace has been a Police Tactical Trainer, teaching not only local police officers, but also members of police departments as far away as Buenes Aires, Argentina.

Amy Morgenstern - Level 1 Instructor/Kombat Kidz & Kombat Women Instructor - Amy completed the 50-hour Level 1 Instructor Training course in January, 2010. A native of Florida, where she trained for two years with Yaniv Rosenberg, Amy has also trained in Muay Thai and ju jitsu. In addition, in high school and college, Amy was a nationally ranked junior tennis competitor, playing in a Division 1 NCAA competition. From 2004-2006, Amy attended West Point. She now trains and teaches Level 1 Krav Maga and Kombat Kidz classes at KMLI, while also attending Hofstra University to become a Physical Therapist.

Frank Pomara - Level 2 Instructor - Frank started training in Shotokan karate in 1999, and switched to Oyama karate the same year. He received his first kyu - brown belt w/black stripe - in 2002.  In 2004, Frank earned his black belt in Oyama Enomichi Karate, and in 2008, he earned his KRAV MAGA Green belt. Frank completed  the 50-hour Level 1 Krav Maga Instructor Training Program in August 2008 and the 60-hour Instructor Training Program in March 2010. Frank is the managing attorney for Mallilo & Grossman, Attorneys-at-Law, in Flushing, NY, specializing in Personal Injury law.

Bill Primavera - Level 3 Instructor - Bill completed Phase A (2003) and Phase B (2004) , and Level 3 Instructor Training at the Krav Maga National Training Center, Los Angeles, CA and at KMLI, respectively. He currently holds a Green Belt in Krav Maga. Bill teaches adult KRAV MAGA classes, Sparring classes, and private and semi-private lessons. He has been training with Chief Instructor Michael Blitz since 2001. In addition to his Krav Maga training, Bill has also trained in Muay Thai, and boxing. From 1995 to 1997, Bill was a member of the Guardian Angels, NYC Chapter. He has been a professional theater director , DJ, and drummer.  Since the fall of 2005, Bill has been enrolled in law school.

Kevin Reid - Level 2 Instructor - Kevin holds a Green belt in both Tae Kwon Do and Krav Maga. In 2008, Kevin completed the 50-hour Level 1 Krav Maga Instructor Training Program and the 60-hour Level 2 Instructor Training Program in March 2010. Off the mats, Kevin is a Corporate Trainer, a certified hypnotist, a bass player, and a devoted photographer.

Dean Angel - Assistant Instructor - Dean currently holds a Krav Maga Green belt and completed the Assistant Instructor program in 2010. Dean is a Quality Assurance Administrator for food manufacturers.

STAFF

Marie Nemley - Front Desk & Member Services

Zak Peter - Facilities

Ena Jain - Office Manager (on leave)



     

Paul Benincasa
  
       Michael Blitz
           
                   Michael Cohen

Fran Faustino


TJ Flynn
  
          Todd Kettler

Tim Marinace
  
     Amy Morgenstern

 
Frank Pomara (center)
  F.

Kevin Reid


        Dean Angel

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