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The 2007 United Professionals
HALL OF FAME Awards
The 2007 United Professionals HALL OF FAME awards were presented this past November in New Orleans. Members of United Professionals were nominated by each other over a four month period on the UP web page. After fellow members did the nominating I then choose the winners.
Below are those that were nominated and the winners. (A few people felt that they would rather not be nominated because of one reason or another and asked that their names were removed) Everyone nominated will receive a beautiful certificate.
Choosing a winner is extremely difficult, I tried to be fair and only wished there could have been more then one winner per category. However, there are the 2008 awards for everyone to look forward to.
The winners received a football autographed by Tom Flick in a nice presentation case. Mr Flick was our key note speaker. Extremely powerful - totally amazing. He had autographed each football, since he was a former NFL quarterback. Those of you that won but were not in attendance will receive your award by UPS.
Grandmaster of the Year
Lou Casamassa - Red Dragon - 2007 WINNER Mr. Cassamassa is the founder of Red Dragon Karate and continues to oversee his dynasty martial arts chain in Southern
California. »
Master of the Year
Diego Perez - 2007 WINNER Master Perez continues to be very active in the United Professionals instructor colleges and contributes to the Instructor Corner page of the Consulting package every month.
Tony Fournier
Al Garza
Thomas Cosgrove
Jason Epps
Benny Rivera
Mike Jablonski
School of the Year (traditional)
Chris Gate´s Tae Kwon Do - 2007 WINNER Mr. Gates school continues to receive the highest UP/ASF collections of all schools teaching a traditional style. Since I cannot possibly visit every school, collections is the way we keep score, since it is in direct proportion of the people this school serves. Red Dragon
Nick Theodorou Juijitsu
Riviere´s Kajok Tae Kwon Do
Tony Fournier´s Leadership Academy
School of the Year (modern)
John Geyston´s PMA - 2007 WINNER Mr. Geyston opened his school less than one year ago. It is truly a role model school in design. His active count grew to 200 in one year and he continues to help and assist with UP clients nationwide.
Ernie Kirk´s Premier Martial Arts
Doug Bertrand´s East West Premier Martial Arts
Phil Theodorou Juijitsu Academy
Chris Casamassa´s Red Dragon Glendora
The Fight Lab
Jason Epp´s Premier Martial Arts
MMA School of the Year
The Fight Lab - Cory Cass - 2007 WINNER Mr. Cass is proving that MMA school can cater to both the fighter as well as the family. His MMA school in California serves more than 300 families.
Frank Silverman´s America Top Team
Din Thomas American Top Team
Man of the Year
RS Mitchell - 2007 WINNER This is given annually to the owner of the single highest grossing school according the UP/ASF check. Mr. Mitchell is a great business man and is willing help others and share his knowledge at anytime Doug Bertrand
Mark Dumas
Jason Epps
Roland Osborne
Woman of the Year
Jo Jessie - 2007 WINNER - This testimonial came with the nomination "Jo is the type of person that gives unconditionally. Sometimes you contribute to the martial arts not by inventing the newest "widget" but rather by "walking the walk" that we as martial artists espouse. Mr. Silva, I truly believe that Jo Jessie should be considered for the award because of the numerous ways she assists and changes lives every single day." Yvette Colombo Zennette Bertrand
Robin DePalma
Mary Beth Perez
Kristen Alexander
Angelique Liles
Ambassador of the Year
Master Al Garza - 2007 WINNER This past year Master Garza began his Grand Master adventure and has traveled to Brazil, China and Thailand to train as well as spread the word of the bible. His e-mails concerning his travels have inspired UP clients and his work has inspired people around the globe. Julia Murry
Roger Milton
World Female Competitor of the Year (Professional)
Lauren Kearney - 2007 WINNER - Ms. Kearney continues to dominate the NASKA circuit - period. Felice Herrig
Melissa Gonzalez »
World Male Competitor of the Year (Professional)
Din Thomas - 2007 WINNER - Mr. Thomas had a three-fight winning streak in the UFC this past year before losing a fight to Kenny Florian in which he had injured his knee during the fight. Kurt Pelligrino
Matt Mullens
Rodolfo Riviere
UP Ambassador of the Year
Eddie Diaz - 2007 WINNER - Mr Diaz continues to invite clients to his school, visit other schools, participate in the Instructor Colleges and offer training tips to the monthly consulting instructor corner. Roland Osborne
Al Garza
Aaron Reis
Damon Tong »
Outstanding Leadership
Doug Bertrand - 2007 WINNER You just need to visit one of Mr. Bertrand´s schools in Washington to understand why he won this award. Alan Dankwerth
Chris Casamassa Red Dragon
Fred DePalma
Roland Osborne
Kristen Alexander
Outstanding Contributor to the Martial Arts
Kono Magazine - 2007 WINNER - Kono magazine is in it’s first year and is already read by over one million kids a year. This is a huge positive influence on our industry. Roland Osborne
Travis Thornton
John Liles »
Instructor of the Year
Paul McCoy - 2007 WINNER - Mr. McCoy took his team to the Philippines this year and taught the values and character of martial arts to literally thousands of children. In fact in one day he taught an A,B,C´s of Success to over 6000 kids. While we all have the impact to change the lives of our students, Mr. McCoy made an impact on the lives of generations. Mike Jablonski
Ernie Kirk
Eddie Diaz
Aaron Reiss
Damon Tong
Alan Dankwerth
Jason Epps
Chris Casamassa
Sam Hunter
Carlos Villatoro
Paul Garcia
Rodolfo Riviere
Diego Per
