Sensei Susan Baldassi, 5th Dan

Sensei Susan [Fuchek] Baldassi was born on June 17, 1966 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. She began her martial arts training at an early age with Kung Fu, and then studied Judo for three years eventually becoming a bronze medalist at the Junior Olympics in Toronto, Ontario. Her training in Isshinryu began with Sensei Don Shapland in 1976. She affiliated with Master Albert Mady in 1980, receiving her Shodan in 1983, Yondan in 1995, and Godan in 2005.

Sensei Baldassi has been a member of the American Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA) since 1996. She was awarded the AOKA Female Blackbelt Instructor of the Year Award in 1998 and has been teaching Isshinryu Karate for 20 continuous years. Presently, she is one of the highest-ranking practitioners in Isshinryu Karate in Thunder Bay and the Chief Instructor and Owner of the TOSHIKAI DOJO of Thunder Bay. In addition, Susan is a Board Member on the Thunder Bay Martial Arts Council, and is a member of the AOKA Awards Committee.

Sensei Baldassi received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education Degrees, First Class Standing, from Lakehead University in 1989. She has been an Elementary School Teacher with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board for 14 years, teaching a variety of grades and subjects, including Physical Education, Health and French as a Second Language.

Sensei Baldassi and husband Anthony have two children: Brandon and Jacob. Her sons are enthusiastic students in her Lil' Dragons Karate Program. She is passionate about teaching and enjoys making a difference!

Sensei Pete Williams, 5th Dan
Committee Chair

Sensei Pete Williams began his training in Isshinryu Karate 7 April 1988 under Grand Masters Lewis Lizotte and Ronald Boucher at the Connecticut Karate and Fitness Center (CKFC). He was promoted to SHO Dan in 1991 and YO Dan in 1997. He was a drilling reservist (enlisted) with the Army National Guard 1969-1975, and the U.S. Army Reserves 1987-1991, eventually rising to the rank of First Lieutenant.

Sensei Williams has been a member of the American Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA) since 1988 and is an assistant instructor, at the CKFC and head instructor/advisor at the Inner Peace Martial Arts and Fitness Center. He has been selected for numerous awards, including Connecticut Karate and Fitness Center Student of the Year (1990), AOKA Outstanding Black Belt (1994), and the AOKA Spirit of Isshinryu (1998).

Sensei Williams has a Associates Degree from Manchester Community College (1969), A Respiratory Therapy Degree from St Francis Hospital (1969), a Psychology Degree from Central Connecticut State University (1974), a Nursing Degree from Springfield Technical Community College and received his Nurse Anesthetist Diploma from the Hospital of St Raphael's School of Nursing in 1982.

Tim Grismer, Master, 6th Dan

Master Tim Grismer (6th Dan) was born in Perham, Minnesota in January 3, 1958. He began his Isshinryu training in 1977 in Monroe, North Carolina with Master Kobylanski. He earned his Sho-Dan on December 27, 1983.

He is currently a Roku-Dan which he received in July 2006.

Master Grismer has been a member of the AOKA since November 1977, USJA since June 2003 and is the Senior Instructor of the Carolina Isshinryu Academy.

Master Grismer has been awarded the AOKA Outstanding Male Instructor of the Year (2003).