Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Tang Soo Do 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 Statesboro Karate - Krav Maga - Jiu Jitsu's instructors and other staff members, starting with Clay Pierson:

Clay Pierson  (Chief Instructor)  Mr. Pierson is the owner of America's Best Statesboro Karate school. You can learn more about him under our Chief Black Belt Instructor. Mr. Pierson is a 3rd Degree American Tang Soo Do Black Belt, a certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a dedicated Christian husband with two fine boys. He loves his community and the youth. He strives to empower people and build future leaders, as well as make people safer. As a martial arts Instructor, Mr. Pierson has made an impact on 1000's of students here in the southern Georgia area. Mr. Pierson has been training seriously in Tang Soo Do and other martial arts since 1980 and is certified to teach martial arts under the following organizations: the American Tang Soo Do Alliance, American Unified Black Belt Schools, and also Krav Maga Worldwide. See Our Chief Instructor for more detailed information.

Debra Pierson  (Black Belt Instructor)  Debra Pierson is a dedicated American Tang Soo Do Black Belt. Mrs. Pierson is certified under the American Tang Soo Alliance, American Unified Black Belt Schools, and America's Best Statesboro Karate. She also is ranked in Combat Hapkido and skilled in the use of the cane, nunchucks, whip chain, fan, staff, sticks, and sai swords. Mrs. Pierson also serves our office manager and will be happy to assist you with any of your school business needs. She is the glue that helps our school to function. Mrs. Pierson is the devoted mother of two young boys and a loving wife. Mrs. Pierson is an excellent children's teacher and loves to work with children.

Todd Mashburn  (Black Belt Lead Krav Maga Instructor)  Deputy Mashburn is a Sergeant with the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Mashburn was formerly the assistant team leader for the Special Operations Unit, specializing in narcotics investigations and high risk warrant service. Sergeant Mashburn now serves as the head departmental instructor for the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office and is a Specialized Instructor in the area of Firearms and Defensive Tactics. Sergeant Mashburn is a certified Defensive Tactics Instructor under Master Mark Cox. Sergeant Mashburn is also as a Black Belt in Krav Maga, he is the highest ranking Krav Maga Instructor in the Southeast. He qualified to teach Krav Maga gun, stick, knife, and other weapons defenses. Todd is also a dedicated Christian husband and father of two beautiful girls, Ivey and Alex. His wife, Skye, is one of his finest students and a pillar of support for the Krav Maga program.

Collin Smith  (Brazilian Jui Jitsu Director)  Collin Smith is our Lead Brazilian Jui Jitsu Instructor and heads up our growing Grappling/MMA program. He is an accomplished BJJ stylist and also hold a Black Belt in Tang Soo Do. Both highly qualified and committed, he is doing a great job building our BJJ program. He also enjoys working with adults and children alike.

Carson Fortner  (Instructor/Program Director)  Mr. Fortner is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do and is belted in Krav Maga as well. He is vital & well liked part of our staff. He is a very motivated martial artist and does a great job working with the children's program. As a very well rounded Black Belt, he also heads up our XMA program. He is important part of our weapons program & leadership team.

Andre Alston  (Instructor)  Andre is a very talented Black Belt who also shows true Black Belt character. He has tremendous kicking skills and we are proud to have him as a part of our team. He has grown into a very good instructor and is currently our primary Junior mat instructor.

Coty Marsh  (Weapons Instructor) Coty is a fine young man and a passionate Black Belt who teaches private lessons and is gifted in weapons training and instruction. He is working closely with Mr. & Mrs. Pierson to further our already strong weapons program.

Brett Hise  (Children's Instructor) Mr. Hise is the newest addition to our instructor team. He is testing for his Black Belt this June. He is doing a tremendous job with our kids and is also over our Pembroke afterschool krate program.

For more information about the Statesboro Karate - Krav Maga - Jiu Jitsu staff or training programs, please contact us at 912-764-5425 (KICK) or by clicking here.