Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of PMA and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of Premier Martial Arts - Universal City's instructors and other staff members, starting with :

Tom Howanic  (Owner/Head Instructor)  Tom Howanic has practice the martial arts for over 23 years. Here is a list of some of his ranks and certifications: 3rd Degree Black Belt in Premeir Martial Arts 2nd Degree Black Belt in Ketsugo Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt in Free Style Jujitsu Black Belt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do Instructor of Malaya Eskrima Instructor of Cabales Serrada Eskrima Instructor of Sina Tirsia Wali Kali Instructor of Apache Combat Knife Fighting Certified instructor trainer of the S.A.B.E.R. Method of Tactical Edged Weapon Defense and Training Certified instructor of Raven Tactical Defensive Tactics Instructor of Adaptive Combat Tactics 2nd Degree Brown in Shito Ryu Karate 2nd degree Brown in Heutsch Jiujitsu (A Brazilian Style) Instructor at several Seminars and Workshops Chosen to be one of the instructors for the 2007 Brotherhood of The Blade workshop. Assisted Fernan Vargas in teaching the S.A.B.E.R. Method of Edged Weapons Defense and Training to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency (Pentagon Police) in 2009. Aissisted Fernan Vargas in teaching the S.A.B.E.R. Method and Defensive Tactics at the St. Petersburg law Enforcement Academy of Florida in 2010. Knife Combatives Instructor at the:The Brotherhood of Veteran Warriors 2010 Gasshuku Workshop in San Antonio, Texas. April 9-11 2010 Knife Combatives Instructor at the: Okinawan Karate-Do Union Training Conference 2010 in Powel, Tennessee. July 9 & 10, 2010 Southern Texas Regional Director of the International Combative Self-Defense Association I.C.S.D.A. Former Head Instructor of Premier Martial Arts of Collinsville, Illinois. Professionally trained in teaching and leadership techniques through United Professionals/Black Belt Schools International. Graduate of the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Master's Rotation 1 Premier Curriculum Colleges. Sensei Howanic has also attended numerous workshops on many different forms of martial arts. Finally, our school is a Raven Tactical training facility!

Juanita Howanic  (Owner/Manager/Marketing Director)  Juanita has 13 years of Martial Arts experience, 21 years of Management and Customer Service experience, 6 years of Human Resources experience, and 6 years of Martial Arts Management, Marketing, and Consulting experience. Juanita was the Manager, Program Director, Office Manager, and Marketing Director at Premier Martial Arts, Collinsville, Illinois. Some of Juanita's Accomplishments and Awards include: Certified Instructor at Howanic's Premier Martial Arts Red Belt in Premier Martial Arts Apprentice Practitioner in Apache Knife Fighting Green Belt in Bujinkan Ninjutsu Gold Sash in Esrkima Graduate of PMA Basic College Four United Professionals Program Director's Colleges, and many PMA Business Systems Seminars. Instructor at the 2006 San Antonio United Professionals Convention. Awarded the Who's Who of Business Women in America 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and just awarded for 2010. Nominated for St. Louis Hospitality Host in 2000 1994 and 1995 Who's Who of College Students in America. Sempai Juanita teaches the Tiny Champs (3 & 4 year olds) and Little Champions (5-7 year olds.)

Dani Ferguson  (Program Director / Instructor)  Sensei Dani is a very talented martial artist and continually strives to improve the experience our team and members have at UCPMA! Some of her accomplishments include: Certified Instructor at Howanic's Premier Martial Arts 2nd Degree Black Belt in Premier Martial Arts 1st Degree Black Belt in American Karate Amateur Kickboxer Experience in competition karate - 2 Grand Champion awards Professionally trained in teaching and leadership techniques through United Professionals/Black Belt Schools International. Graduate of the Premier Basic Curriculum College Certified in Premier Martial Arts Fitness and Sports Conditioning Certified Fitness and Nutrition trainer. Sensei Dani is currently fulfilling her requirements for a certification from ISSA in Specialist in Fitness for Older Adults. Sensei Dani is our Fitness Expert, if you have any questions concerning Fitness and Nutrtion she is your "GO TO" lady for the facts!

Brandon Ferguson  (Instructor) Sensei Brandon is a very talented martial artist who challenges our team and members to take thier training to the next level. Some of his accomplishments include: Certified Instructor at Howanic's Premier Martial Martial Arts 2nd Degree Black Belt in Premier Martial Arts 1st Degree Black Belt in American Karate Numerous trophies in competition karate. Sensi Brandon is currently fufilling his requirments to attain his rank of Eagle Scout. Professionally trained in teaching and leadership techniques through United Professionals/Black Belt Schools International. Graduate of the Premier Basic Curriculum College. Certified Adaptive Combat Tactics Instructors. Demo Team Member

Byron Ferguson  (Instructor) Sensei Byron is another great member of our Outstanding PMA Team! Here is a list of some of Sensei Byron's ranks and certifications: 2nd Degree Black Belt in Premier Martial Arts 1st Degree Black Belt in American Karate 1st Degree Black Belt in Shotokan Karate Extensive Military Combative Training

Jacob Ferguson  (Instructor) Sensei Jacob is a very talented martial artist. Some of his accomplishments include: Certified Instructor at Howanic's Premier Martial Arts 2nd Degree Black Belt in Premier Martial Arts 1st Degree Black Belt in American Karate Experience in competition karate

Luke Page  (Instructor) Sensei Luke is a very talented martial artist who challenges himself and our members to take thier training to the next level. Some of his accomplishments include: 1st Degree Black Belt in Ketsugo Ryu Jujitsu Black Belt Candidate in Premier Martial Arts Professionally trained in teaching and leadership techniques through Howanic's Premier Martial Arts Graduate of PMA Instructor Performance College Gold Sash in Malaya Eskrima Currently working towards Apprentice Practitioner in ACT Combat Knife Fighting Course. Has attended several Martial Arts Seminars. Sensei Luke is constantly looking to improve himself through continued training and reasearch in Multiple forms of Martial Arts.

Stephen Sunstrom  (Instructor) Stephen Sunstrom has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Mary Boley  (Instructor) Mary Boley has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Terri Sunstrom  (Instructor/Front Counter) Terri Sunstrom has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Mary Ellen Klassen  (Instructor/Front Counter) Mary Ellen Klassen has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

For more information about the Premier Martial Arts - Universal City staff or training programs, please contact us at 210-566-0020 or by clicking here.