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Robert Morrison – Head Instructor
 All of our instructors are professionals who have been developed to offer the highest quality instruction. Every member of our instructor team is approachable, caring, and possesses a true love for teaching martial arts. After taking just a few lessons, you will see why Lee's Martial Arts is Renton's choice for martial arts.
Proud father of 3: Serenity 13 (2nd Dan), Jada 11 (1st Dan) and Roman 7 (still working on Black Belt!). I have been training at LMA Renton since its inception in 1996. Prior to Tae Kwon Do, I wrestled for 7 years. In 1998, as a full time student at UW, a 24 year old husband and father of 2, we bought the school and became full time professional martial artists.
I love seeing students gain confidence, coordination, and skills, as well as losing weight. I learn from all the students on a daily basis. I love the "Tae" (kicking) and "Kwon" (punching), but the "Do", the Way, has taught me the most, the discipline and focus it takes to be successful. I love teaching Black Belts and giving them the opportunity to lead. I would like to open more schools and provide lucrative careers for martial artists with passion and the desire to never stop learning.
I enjoy training, reading, movies with family and friends, bike riding, and the many opportunities of traveling that Tae Kwon Do has provided me. I also love MMA!
Some of Instructor Robert's achievements include:
- 1999 to 2008 National Heavy Weight competitor
- 2001 US Nationals Gold Forms
- 2002 US Nationals Bronze Sparring
- 2002 US Team Trials
- 2002 US Nationals Silver Forms
- 2003 US Nationals Quarter Finals
- 2005 AAU Quarter Finals
- 2006 US Nationals Silver Sparring
- 2006 US Nationals Silver Forms
- 2007 MMA debut - win in round 2
- 2007 2nd Degree Blue Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Geofrey Driver – Program Director
 My martial arts training began in 1967 at the Louisiana Karate Association in New Orleans. I studied Shotakan karate under Master Takayuki Mikami and earned the rank of 1st Kyu (Gup) brown belt. The traditional instruction that I received focused on basics, forms, and philosophy. This was the foundation and backbone of my martial arts training, an experience that changed my life forever.
In 1971 my family moved to Florida where I began to study Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan from Charles Blackburn. On May 22nd, 1973, I tested for and received my 1st Dan black belt under Sabunim Blackburn and Master Jae Chul Chin, president of the American Tang Soo Do Federation.
After a long sabbatical, I met a veteran Hapkido/Tae Kwon Do instructor named Stewart Hamilton. I progressed to 6th Gup blue belt in Hapkido under his tutelage.
I am excited now to be continuing my training along with my daughter, Isabella, at Lee’s Martial Arts Academy under chief instructor Robert Morrison. Sabunim Morrison’s gracious invitation to join the SWAT team and become the Program Director at LMA has rekindled the flame of my first love, the Martial Arts.
Micah Graves
 Instructor Micah is a
3rd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has been training in various martial arts for over twenty years, including Okinawan Karate, Aikido, Kickboxing, Wrestling Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. He earned his Black Belt at Lee’s Martial Arts in 2001. From 2001 to 2004 he owned and operated the Lee’s Martial Arts in Puyallup.
Some of Instructor Micah’s accomplishments include:
- 2001 WA State Black Belt Middle Weight Champion
- 2001 National Competitor
- 2002 Silver Medalist WA State Championships
- Earning a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
- Teaching at his Alma Mater of LMA Renton
Instructor Micah enjoys witnessing the changes in students. They walk in the door, timid and afraid, then progress and gain confidence and humility.
On a personal note, Instructor Micah enjoys camping,
hiking, fishing, art, reading and spending time with
family. If you would like to contact Instructor Micah,
he can be reached at
micahgraves@hotmail.com
Jodie Wilson
 Taekwondo
has been an excellent athletic activity for Jodie and her kids to do together.
They joined LMA Renton in 2006 and soon after Jodie was invited to join SWAT.
Jodie loves Taekwondo because it not only makes her feel great but has also
helped keep off the 25 pounds she’s lost since starting. Jodie’s children have
benefited from the 5 Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Self-Control,
Perseverance, and Indomitable Spirit, as well as, the Children’s Home Rules.
Taekwondo is an excellent sport that instills not only concentration and focus
but strength, flexibility, and balance which are core skills for success in any
activity in life. Jodie likes helping make LMA the best family martial arts
program around. Besides breaking boards, learning various weapons, inspirational
instructors, and family atmosphere, Jodie has enjoyed teaching Taekwondo. She
teaches family and teen/adult classes in Maple Valley which allows her to work
with people of all ages and skill levels. Jodie plans to make Taekwondo a part
of her life for as long as humanly possible.
Aaron Berkley
 Hi,
my name is Aaron Berkley. I learned about Lee’s Martial
Arts after the instructors came to my middle school.
When I first started Tae Kwon Do, I really struggled
with doing a perfect roundhouse kick.
I like teaching at LMA because this
sport has changed my life. I want to spread that feeling
to a lot of people. Plus, I want to learn good
leadership skills.
My goal is to become a responsible,
trustworthy martial artist, and to learn as many
different martial arts as I can in my lifetime. I want
to continue to teach at LMA because teaching here is
such an honor and privilege. If anyone needs help, I’ll
always be there.
Alexa Brandt
 Alexa and her Dad, Instructor Doug, have been
training at Lee’s Martial Arts since 2001, when she was
in 1st grade. Tae Kwon Do has helped Alexa gain
confidence, discipline, determination, and leadership
skills. All of these traits help her in her daily life:
with school, teaching classes, instructing, family, and
friends. Alexa has been involved with teaching at the
LMA school in Maple Valley a few days a month and is a
part of the SWAT team.
In 2005 (5th grade), Alexa earned her black belt with
her Dad and in 2007 (7th grade) they earned their 2nd
degrees. She enjoys training and going to classes with
both her Dad and sister, Amy. She has made friends that
will last a lifetime and learned valuable skills that
she can use throughout her life. Alexa loves the
atmosphere at LMA; everyone is part of one big family.
Tae Kwon Do and Lee’s Martial Arts have changed her
life.
Amy Brandt
 Amy began her Tae Kwon Do journey in 2003 when she
was 6 years old. Two years before she started, her
sister, Alexa, and her father, Instructor Doug, were
involved in Lee’s Martial Arts. She soon wanted to try
it for herself and joined the school as well. Amy has
stuck with this sport for 7 years and is now 13 years
old and has earned her 1st degree black belt and is on
her way to achieving her 2nd degree.
Amy enjoys Tae Kwon Do so much, because the workouts
are exciting, she has made many friends through Martial
arts, and the community there is very welcoming. Tae
Kwon Do has taught her many life skills that help her
exceed in her daily life at home and at school.
Erika Conkling
 I first came to Lee’s Martial Arts in search of a fun
activity that would wear out an active five-year old boy
and help him learn self-control.
Not only did I find that for my son, but after a
year of sitting on the sidelines, my daughter and I had
to join in too.
Now all three of us train together and we love
sharing this extra-special bond of being a family of
martial artists.
My two-year-old son has been watching Tae Kwon Do
classes practically from birth, and he can’t wait to be
old enough to be aLil Kicker.
My goal is to reach my Black Belt by my 40th
birthday. It
is hard work, but I am a regular at Poomse Posse and
Black Belt Club and I help with the beginner Fundamental
Friday class.
Outside of the dojang , I work full time as a
City Planner, I volunteer as a Girl Scout leader, and my
husband and I homeschool the kids.
I also try to carve out a little time to pursue
interests such as knitting, yoga, gourmet cooking,
hiking, and camping.
Joshua Gumabao
Hi, my name is Joshua Gumabao. I
was born in California but I was raised in Renton all my
life. In the seventh grade I found Lee’s Martial Arts. I
was being bullied every day at school, so I decided that
I needed to stop being put down by others and try to
regain my confidence. I signed up to practice “the way
of the fist and foot” at LMA and in no time I regained
confidence in myself.
When I started practicing Tae Kwon
Do, all of my instructors taught me that with hard work,
blood, sweat, and tears I could overcome any obstacle
and achieve my dreams. So now I teach every day so that
I can spread the word that you can achieve your dreams
as long as you give it your all, and then some!
I want to continue to teach Tae
Kwon Do to others. Lee’s Martial Arts has done so much
for me, and I want to pay it back in any way I can.
Lucky Hand
 My
name is Lucky Hand. I was born in Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii.
I began Tae Kwon Do at Lee's Martial Arts when I was
five years old. After less than three weeks, I quit
because I just wasn't very interested. For about five
more years, I followed other dreams and accomplished
several dreams.
When I was 11, I decided to try Tae Kwon Do once again.
I felt very at home when I returned. The atmosphere at
Lee's is very friendly and welcoming. I began to help
out once I achieved my yellow belt. My thought on
helping out is that you don't really quite know the
curriculum until you have to teach it.
Tae Kwon Do has really changed my life. It has helped me
gain inner peace, and I've met many great people in the
two years since I returned. I would like to thank my
parents for providing support, and my uncle Jake Mapes,
who has given me inspiration because he is an MMA
fighter and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I would
also like to thank my entire family, Robert Morrison,
Geofrey Driver, Micah Graves, Kendall Grove, Luis
Heredia, Troy Mandaloniz, Xande Ribeiro, Damien Maia,
Dominick Cruz, and KJ Noons for inspiring me to continue
to work hard to earn my black belt.
Jessica Malleck
 My name is Jessica Malleck. I have been doing Tae Kwon Do at Lee's Martial Arts in Renton
since I was six years old. I started teaching Lil Kickers and Lil Ninjas on Saturdays as an assistant instructor for almost two years. And I achieved my black belt in August 2010.
I am glad that I started doing Tae Kwon do at Lee's
Martial Arts. It has taught me how to push myself even
when I am tired or don't think I can do whatever is
required.; to have self-control in everything I do (even
it it's hard!); and to set high goals even if they seem
impossible.
The best thing I've learned at Tae Kwon Do is to have
a good attitude when my feet hit the mats!
Macy Malleck
 Hi,
my name is Macy and I am from Newcastle. I first started
here as a Lil Kicker when I was four years old. My
sister Jessica did Tae Kwon Do here and I thought it
looked like fun. My biggest struggles when I started out
were sit-ups, push-ups, and turn snap kick.
I like teaching students here because I love to help
kids and grown-ups learn. I think it's fun to be around
people all the time.
When I'm not at LMA, I like to ride horses or get my
school work done.
My goals are to get my black belt, become more fit, and
continue to help people.
Theo Proctor
 Hi,
my name is Theo Proctor. I started Tae Kwon Do in Lil
Kickers when I was five years old. I was very shy when I
first started but I knew that if my friend could do it, I
could do it too.
I like teaching students here because it makes me feel good
when I see students progress. I want to become a ninth
degree black belt and a great student. I want to continue to
teach others as long as they learn and benefit from my
teaching.
When I'm not at LMA, you can find me at a skate park or at a
friend's house. I am a sponsored skate boarder. I also snow
board, play video games, and travel a lot.
Will Sykes
 Will Sykes has been part of the LMA Renton family
since 2006. He’s an assistant instructor, a Jr. SWAT
team member, and in December 2009 received his black
belt. Will has been busy with Taekwondo and other sports
with a usual weekly schedule of sparring, TKD and
gymnastics demo teams, regular classes, masters’ club,
and finally helping his mom teach classes. Will is a
young man of many talents as he also loves swimming,
sailing, snowboarding, soccer, volleyball, and is
looking forward to trying track. On his journey to black
belt, Will has learned perseverance and showed
indomitable spirit in meeting such a lofty goal before
the age of 11. Will’s advice to anyone interested in
Taekwondo, “TKD isn’t all about kicking and punching but
about self control and being the best you can be.”
Rick Zieske
 December 2010 will mark 18 months that I've been a
part of the Lee's Martial Arts family. My two boys,
Garrett and Collin, are enrolled, and my wife Danielle
is a regular at the Yoga class on Tuesday and Thursday
mornings.
In January of 2010 I was invited to be part of LMA's
SWAT Team and assist the instructors. In the fall of
2010 I was encouraged to be part of our elite sparring
program, RTA. This intense conditioning and sparring
program is part of my personal goals for conditioning
and a base for teaching in the future. With only a short
amount of training, I was awarded a gold medal in my
first sparring tournament. This was due to the excellent
training, mentoring, and coaching of the RTA team.
I am honored that my family and I are part of the
Lee's Martial Arts program. We love to help, teach,
inspire, and be part of the development for the leaders
of tomorrow...much in the same way LMA has taught,
inspired, and been a key part of my own personal
development.
I encourage anyone willing to invest their time, hard
work, and sweat to come join us and learn for yourself
what it means to be part of the Lee's Martial Arts
family. See you on the mats!
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