Instructor Michael Reese is currently a registered 2nd Degree Black Belt in Kung Fu with the United Martial Arts Association of America.
Michael was born in California and moved extensively throughout his childhood as his father was in the Coast Guard branch of the military. Never being in the same location for longer than 3 years, Michael learned early to make friends easily and to let things go just as easy without emotional attachments.
Michael calls Texas home as most of his life was spent living there. Michael graduated from Irving High School in 1988 and immediately went to work for Electronic Data Systems. Michael proceeded to excel at learning and completed the two year Operations Program Development course within six months. Michael was then promoted to a Systems Engineer and again proceeded to complete the two year System Engineer program within a six month timeframe. Michael has worked for EDS (which has now been acquired by Hewlett Packard) for over 20 years supporting such accounts as Nielsen, Saturn, GM, Coors, Del Monte, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Michael’s primary focus of his career has been in the Credit Union Industry (ACH) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). His background is diverse with experience in team leadership, people care, and all phases of systems development. His technical background is just as diverse with experience in mainframe, midrange, tandem, DOS/VSE, VAX/VM, client/server, and PC.
Michael has started two companies outside of his professional career - Knowledge Consulting, a PC servicing company in 2002 and Stone Dragon LLC, a defensive training company in 2010.
In 1993, Michael moved from Texas to Arizona. In 1995, Michael met his future wife Julie and married her in 1997 at the Orange Tree Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona.
With a love to travel, Michael and Julie have been to many places within the United States, the Caribbean, and Europe.
Michael enjoys reading fantasy books, role playing games, real time strategy as well as classic strategy games, playing all sports, and computer hardware/software/development.
Michael and Julie have two daughters born in 1999 and 2002.
In an effort to develop focus, leadership, and responsibility in his daughters, Michael enrolled them in a karate class. Michael’s daughters loved the experience and learning, but the material was more of a hard style punch/kick which Michael did not find as appropriate for the girls. Further research into the diverse world of martial arts led Michael to look into Aikido and Kung Fu.
In 2008, Michael and his family joined the United Kung Fu Academy within the United Martial Arts Association. Since starting their training at United Kung Fu, Michael and his family have trained with Master Instructor Jerry Dibble in Southern Shaolin Tiger & Crane, Northern Longfist, Xing Yi, Yang style Tai Chi, Wing Tsun, Chi Gong, Bagua, along with many different weapon forms. Along with his 2nd degree Black Belt, Michael has received his certification as a Silver and Fit Instructor. In his affiliation with United Kung Fu, Michael has trained with Grand Master Jin Heng Li, Grand Master Jerry Cook, Master Puquan Xiao, Master Michael Leone, and Master Jason Campbell.
Michael participates in the Advanced Instructor Training program learning Aikido, Judo, Ju Jitsu, Kenpo, along with Native American fighting. Michael also participates in the Zen Marksman program where he is working on his Distinguished Expert ratings in pistol, rifle, and shotgun.
Furthermore, Michael is an Archery Instructor certified by USA Archery.