Russell Reese

Mr. Reese is a Sandan (third deg. black belt) in Aikido. He began his study of Aikido under Sensei Jack Simpson in 2001. He was awarded his black belt in 2007, and his rank of Sandan in 2013. Sensei Simpson stepped down as Chief Instructor of Western Maryland Aikikai in 2011 and named Russ as his successor.

Russ has trained in Aikido all over the world including Japan, England, Spain, Canada and all over the U.S. In addition, Russ attends several training seminars a year, and has trained at seminars conducted by Moriteru Ueshiba (the current Aikido Doshu), and many of the leading Aikido Shihan, including Takeguchi Sensei, Tamura Sensei, Yamada Sensei, Sugano Sensei and others. Russ attends regular Instructor classes administered by Takaguchi Sensei (CapitalAikikai) in Silver Spring,MD.

Russ also holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and trains at the Yamasaki Academy in Rockville,MD. He has won several medals in International Competition.

Russ has a wonderful wife (Michele) and four quasi-normal children (Emily, Jackie, Jacob & Kevin). When not on the mat, Russ is a partner at Maddox Engineers & Surveyors, Inc. based in Rockville, MD.

Ron Sulchek

 Ron Sulchek began training in Aikido in 1995 and holds the rank of Shodan (first degree black belt). He continues to study with Jack Simpson Sensei and Clyde Takeguchi Sensei (Capital Aikikai) and attends several seminars in Aikido each year.

Ron began his martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do while at Central Connecticut State University. He took a brief seventeen year sabbatical to build a career and raise a family, and then continued his training in 1989. He earned the rank of Nidan (second degree black belt) from the World Tae Kwon Do Association and South Central Tae Kwon Do Association. He has also studied Tai Chi Chuan. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Valuation Analyst with the firm of Sulchek & Moore, LLC in Hagerstown, MD.