Our Team
We are members of the American Krav Maga Federation (AKMF), a group of like-minded Krav Maga Martial Arts school owners. The AKMF governs the rank requirements, quality of instruction and integrity of the system. Our students are guaranteed self-defense instruction based on a curriculum and promotion system that is both time- and pressure-tested.
Greg Mills
Chief Instructor
Mr. Mills serves as Chief Instructor and has over 30 years of experience as a martial artist and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. He holds multiple black belt ranks, to include Krav Maga and a Masters 4th degree ranking in American Tang Soo Do.
Greg is a high energy, skilled, and charismatic instructor that has successfully managed martial arts studios in California and Virginia. He is a level 5 certified instructor under AKMF. His ability to use building blocks in his teaching style serves students of all ages, athletic ability, and experience.
Greg continues to advance his martial arts knowledge through attendance in training, conferences and seminars to keep up with latest techniques, ensuring his instruction remains time-proven and pressure-tested. He holds bachelors and associates degrees.
Greg is a high energy, skilled, and charismatic instructor that has successfully managed martial arts studios in California and Virginia. He is a level 5 certified instructor under AKMF. His ability to use building blocks in his teaching style serves students of all ages, athletic ability, and experience.
Greg continues to advance his martial arts knowledge through attendance in training, conferences and seminars to keep up with latest techniques, ensuring his instruction remains time-proven and pressure-tested. He holds bachelors and associates degrees.
Jairo Rivas
Instructor & Personal Trainer
Jairo has 7 years of experience in Krav Maga training and instruction, including travel to Israel to test for his 1st degree belt under Master Alain Cohen. He is a Level 4 Certified Instructor from the Krav Maga Federation of America (KMF-AC) and a Certified Instructor from the American Krav Maga Federation (AKMF).
His training focus is working with children and teenagers, helping them develop enhanced self-esteem, discipline, concentration, and athleticism.
Jairo is also a certified personal trainer under the International Sport Science Association (ISSA), and pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and Kinesiology.
His training focus is working with children and teenagers, helping them develop enhanced self-esteem, discipline, concentration, and athleticism.
Jairo is also a certified personal trainer under the International Sport Science Association (ISSA), and pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and Kinesiology.
Eric Reyes
Assistant Instructor
Eric has taught a variety of martial arts throughout his 9 years of experience. He holds a Krav Maga black belt with a level 2 Instructor Certification from Krav Maga Universal and a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Alliance.
He is a high-energy, earnest, and proficient instructor, who loves instilling positive attitudes and values towards America’s future. He brings it all on the mats to ensure that students of all ages gain the confidence to push past their limits.
Eric constantly pursues his education in martial arts and academics. He holds aBachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in business and is striving to reach a doctorate in the healthcare field
He is a high-energy, earnest, and proficient instructor, who loves instilling positive attitudes and values towards America’s future. He brings it all on the mats to ensure that students of all ages gain the confidence to push past their limits.
Eric constantly pursues his education in martial arts and academics. He holds aBachelor's degree in Biology with a minor in business and is striving to reach a doctorate in the healthcare field
Our Founders
Joseph Fontanella
Joe has over four decades of leadership and management experience in the defense community. He is a retired U.S. Army Engineer Colonel with extensive combat, topographic, and construction engineering experience; after he retired from the Army, he served a second career in the Senior Executive Service as a Department of Defense Laboratory Director.
He began his Krav Maga journey in retirement, along with his wife Sharon. Training has helped him regain fitness, flexibility, and endurance, and provided him with real-world self-defense skills. Joe holds black belt rank in Krav Maga and instructor certification from American Drengr Krav Maga and Krav Maga Universal…as a father and grandfather living in an increasingly uncertain world, he sees the importance of knowing how to defend oneself and others as a foundational family responsibility.
Sharon Fontanella
Sharon is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in U.S. Army Intelligence and a former Department of Defense Contractor serving the intelligence and security community.
She came to Krav Maga via a women’s self-defense seminar and was struck by how little she knew and how valuable it would be in her securing her personal safety and that of her loved ones. Sharon holds Master's and Bachelor’s degrees and black belt rank in Krav Maga. She is instructor-certified through American Drengr and Krav Maga Universal.
Sharon is a member of Leadership Prince William, Class of 2024.
Robert Paiani
Robert has over 30 years in the IT industry ranging from working on a helpdesk to design and installation of large storage systems. Within the past 12 years, he has held various technical sales positions within corporate America. Bob began his Martial Arts journey around 1994 when he was enrolled in a traditional Martial Arts studio that taught a combination Taekwondo and Karate. Five years later, he enrolled in a Krav Maga studio and was learning critical skills on how to survive a street fight.
Bob holds Black Belt rank in the following Martial Arts disciplines: Taekwondo, Karate and Krav Maga and is excited about continuing his journey. Bob is instructor-certified by American Drengr and Krav Maga Universal.
Sheryl Paiani
Sheryl has worked in Banking and Finance for 14 years after receiving a degree in Applied Mathematics. She has training in accounting, and personal and business tax preparation. She has spent the last 12 years as a stay-at-home mom being on the customer/parent end of the martial arts curriculum.
Our Lineage and Grandmasters
Mark Cox
Grandmaster
Mark Cox started his training in 1983 under Grand Master Dennis Ichikawa in Tarzana. His love for the Martial Arts and teaching even when he was a lower ranking student was evident from the beginning.
Mr. Cox was born and raised in California. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under Dennis Ichikawa in 1987. He has a 7th degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, a 4th degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, and holds a Black Belt in Hap Ki Do. Mr. Cox had very meager beginnings; in 1987 Mr. Cox was a machinist and part time pool man with a mega dream. His dream was to have a martial arts studio that impacted the lives of 1000’s. His goal was to have over 100 Black Belts. Through God’s direction and perseverance Mr.Cox now operate one of largest schools in the San Fernando Valley that presently has over 500 Black Belts.
Mr. Cox believed in himself and overcame very trying times and his school now impacts this community in a very positive way. As a Deputy Sheriff, Mr. Cox understands and works hand in hand with law enforcement to help keep our officers safe.
Mr. Cox was born and raised in California. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do under Dennis Ichikawa in 1987. He has a 7th degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, a 4th degree Black Belt in Krav Maga, and holds a Black Belt in Hap Ki Do. Mr. Cox had very meager beginnings; in 1987 Mr. Cox was a machinist and part time pool man with a mega dream. His dream was to have a martial arts studio that impacted the lives of 1000’s. His goal was to have over 100 Black Belts. Through God’s direction and perseverance Mr.Cox now operate one of largest schools in the San Fernando Valley that presently has over 500 Black Belts.
Mr. Cox believed in himself and overcame very trying times and his school now impacts this community in a very positive way. As a Deputy Sheriff, Mr. Cox understands and works hand in hand with law enforcement to help keep our officers safe.
Danny Hazan
Grandmaster
Mr. Hazan is a native of Israel, and started martial arts at the age of 10 with Shotokan Karate, Krav Maga, and Russian Wrestling. He currently holds 8 Blackbelts in different styles (2nd Degree BJJ, 2nd degree judo, 8th degree in karate, 8th degree in Krav Maga) and currently has an academy in Israel AIKMA.
Mr. Hazan served in Israeli Defense Forces special operations for three and a half years, with service during the Lebanon war. After completing his military service, he served as a Krav Maga instructor for special operations units. Currently, Mr. Hazan travels the world sharing his Krav Maga expertise.
Mr. Hazan served in Israeli Defense Forces special operations for three and a half years, with service during the Lebanon war. After completing his military service, he served as a Krav Maga instructor for special operations units. Currently, Mr. Hazan travels the world sharing his Krav Maga expertise.
Dennis Ichikawa
Grandmaster
Mr. Ichikawa is the Chief Instructor and owner of Thousand Oaks/Westlake Karate Studios. He began his martial arts study in 1970 in the Chuck Norris system of Tang Soo Do. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Service from U.C.L.A. in 1969. In the early years, he trained under such martial arts greats as Chuck Norris and Pat Johnson.
In November of 1971, at the rank of 4th gup (level) green belt, he became manager and daytime instructor at the Norris studio in Sherman Oaks, California. After earning his first dan (degree) in November of 1973, he opened his own studio, the Tarzana Karate Studio, with partner, Harold Gross in 1974.
Mr. Ichikawa moved his residence to Thousand Oaks in 1981, and started a Tang Soo Do program at the Thousand Oaks Community Center under the Department of Parks and Recreation in June of 1983. By 1986, the program grew to over 170 students. The Thousand Oaks Karate Studio was opened in 1987.
Then, in 1987, Mr. Ichikawa created the “AMERICAN TANG SOO DO ALLIANCE” to join together all the studios of his Black Belt students as a formal organization. The Alliance currently consists of the Thousand Oaks, Acton, Eagle Rock, Chatsworth Karate, Statesboro Karate and The Way Studios. Many of his students have gone on to form their own studios throughout the state of California, and enjoy the close attention and leadership that Mr. Ichikawa provides to all his students, from first-time members all the way to black belt studio owners.
In November of 1971, at the rank of 4th gup (level) green belt, he became manager and daytime instructor at the Norris studio in Sherman Oaks, California. After earning his first dan (degree) in November of 1973, he opened his own studio, the Tarzana Karate Studio, with partner, Harold Gross in 1974.
Mr. Ichikawa moved his residence to Thousand Oaks in 1981, and started a Tang Soo Do program at the Thousand Oaks Community Center under the Department of Parks and Recreation in June of 1983. By 1986, the program grew to over 170 students. The Thousand Oaks Karate Studio was opened in 1987.
Then, in 1987, Mr. Ichikawa created the “AMERICAN TANG SOO DO ALLIANCE” to join together all the studios of his Black Belt students as a formal organization. The Alliance currently consists of the Thousand Oaks, Acton, Eagle Rock, Chatsworth Karate, Statesboro Karate and The Way Studios. Many of his students have gone on to form their own studios throughout the state of California, and enjoy the close attention and leadership that Mr. Ichikawa provides to all his students, from first-time members all the way to black belt studio owners.