Frederic A. Reinecker
American Karate System

Chief Instructor
Chief Weapons Instructor
9th Degree Black Belt

Frederic A. Reinecke, 9th Dan, is the Chief Instructor of the American Karate System, and a member of the AKS Board of Advisors.  Fred was unanomously selected in 2017 as Chief Instructor upon Mike Sullenger's decision to step-down due to health reasons.  Fred also has the dubias honor of being the "official" AKS photographer.

A Muskegon, Michigan native, Mr. Reinecke's young adult years prompted him to seek a method of self-defense.  In the year following his graduation from high school, Mr. Reinecke was attacked on two different occassions.  Though the injuries were minor, both incidents took their toll, leaving him with a keen desire to learn how to defend himself.

Soon after joining the United States Army, Fred saw his first Bruce Lee movie and was inspired (as were countless others in this era).   In 1973, while still employed by Uncle Sam, he was sent to an assignment in the Republic of South Korea.  It was during this tour of duty that Fred really got involved in the martial arts.  Upon completion of his time in Korea Fred returned the U.S. as a newly certified Black Belt in Jin Moo Kwan - Tae Kwon Do.

After his discharge from the U.S. Army, Mr. Reinecke returned to Muskegon, Michigan.   In 1975 he started taking classes at Muskegon Community College (MCC).   It was here he met Mr. Lieb who was conducting classes in the American Karate System.

Following his graduation from Central Michigan University, where Mr. Reinecke had transfered to finish his degree program, he returned to Muskegon.   He assumed the teaching responsibilities from Mr. Lieb, and has been the American Karate Instructor for the Muskegon Community College classes since 1980.  Fred also taught classes through Orchard View Continuing Education from 1990 to the present.

Fred has been an active competitor from 1976 to the present, winning more than 100 trophies and awards.  Among these accomplishments are six Grand Championships.  During the 1996-97 time frame, Fred was rated among the top 5 black belt competitors in senior fighting and forms by the Michigan Karate Circuit.  In August of 1998, Sport Karate International Magazine rated Mr. Reinecke 3rd Internationally, 2nd in the U.S. and 1st in Michigan in Senior Black belt Men's fighting.  Fred enjoys competing even today and is a regular at many of the Michigan tournaments.

Martial Arts Historical Profile

1st Dan  Jin Moo Kwan - Tae Kwon Do - 1974

2nd Dan  American Karate System - 1977

3rd Dan  American Karate System - 1980

4th Dan  American Karate System - 1984

5th Dan  American Karate System - 1989

6th Dan  American Karate System - Master Level - 1995

7th Dan  American Karate System - Assistant Chief Instructor - 2000

7th Dan  American Karate System - Assistant Chief Instructor
     A.K.S. Advisory Board, A.K.S. World Council Member, Muskegon Michigan - 2004

8th Dan  American Karate System - Assistant Chief Instructor
     A.K.S. Advisory Board, A.K.S. World Council Member, Muskegon, MI - 2005

9th Dan  American Karate System - Chief Instructor
     A.K.S. Advisory Board, A.K.S. World Council Member, Muskegon, MI - 2017

Mr. Reinecke continues to train, support and promote the American Karate System through his instructional endeavors.   He is co-editor (along with Mr. Sullenger) of the AKS "Punchline" newsletter.  He continues to hone his skills and techniques by attending seminars with such noted instructors as Tadashi Yamashita, Shorin-Ryu and Weapons Master, and by training with other talented black belts like Mr. David Hayes, 6th Dan Shorin-Ryu and Mr. Tom Twining, 6th Dan Chi Do Kwan Karate Do / 7th Dan AKA.

Mike is a native Hoosier, having been born in Indianapolis and raised in Vincennes, Indiana.   Mike is the Chief Instructor of the American Karate System, and a member of the AKS Board of Advisors.He started his martial arts training at the age of 12 in 1960.   Over the years Mike has studied Judo, Jujitsu, Hapkido, Shotokan, Issinhryu, Chung Do Kwan Tae Soo Do, and Tang Soo Do Mu Da Kwan.   He joined Mr. Lieb's organization in 1972 and was one of the 13 orginial schools/instructors who assisted in founding the AKS.   Mike continues to be a steadfast supporter of the AKS and its goals to this day.

In the above picture, taken shortly after Mike had reported to his new duty assignment in southern Spain, we find him executing one of his rare jump flying side kicks.   Because Mike has always been stocky and muscular, one of his first instructors, Mr. Dennis Callahan, had told Mike, "elephants don't fly."   As that seemed to be somewhat of a challenge, Mike worked on a few jumping kicks just to be able to say, and demonstrate, that anything is possible. Mike competed in his first tournament, as an under black belt competitor, in May of 1966 in Jhoon Rhee's championships in Washington DC winning his first three matches before a one point loss.   He participated in his last competion in Germany in April of 1987 walking away with a black belt senior forms trophy.   Over those 21 years he managed to win more in black belt forms than in fighting, though he managed to hold his own in that event.   During his first competion as a black belt, having just returned from Spain where he'd earned his 2nd Dan in Tang Soo Do Mu Duk Kwan, Mike competed in Kang Rhee's Memphis Tennessee Karate Tournament in November of 1970.   He won first place in heavy weight sparring and third place in the black belt grand championships, having risen to the top over such top competitors as Fred Wren, Steve Smith and Parker Shelton.   During the 1973-74 time frame, while living in South Bend Indiana, his winning streak in forms was such that he was the top forms competitor for the AKS and the number two forms competitor for the AKA.  It wasn't unsual for him to depart from a weekend competion having won first place in forms and somewhere between first and third in fighting.

The picture on the left was taken at the University of Texas - Pan American field house in November of 1975 during the first of two tournaments Mike ran on behalf of the Air Force ROTC detachment.   In this picture Mike is executing a step across side kick through 5 one inch boards.   Look closely, you won't find any spacers between those boards.   In the picture on the right, Mike is caught in mid execution of a a hook kick to one of his students, Candelario (Candy) Arteaga, in the park at Edinburg Texas where Mike conducted classes from 1974 through 1976. Mike was an airman during the Vietnam time frame (10/66 to 10/70).   During his first assignment at Sheppard AFB in Whicita Falls, Texas, he met and married the former Maria Juanita Lara.   He and Janie (as she likes to be called) were stationed in southern Spain in the city of Sevilla.   It was here that Mike began teaching classes in karate (Chung Do Kwan)at a local Judo school.   Mike's karate classes were the first to be taught in Sevilla in the middle 60s, and possibly the whole of southern Spain.   After being discharged from the Air Force, Mike and Janie went back to the states and stayed at her parents home in south Texas where he began attending Pan American University and working fulltime as a police officer.   He also started the first karate club at the university.

In the above picture Mike is seen executing a spinning back kick through several boards during the half time of one of Pan American University's seasonal home games.  This was in the spring of 1972, just a couple of months before Mike returned to Indiana to help a friend open a karate school in South Bend, Indiana.   It was later that same year Mike and Ernie met for the first time.   In the picture on the right Mike is teaching one of the many classes that took place in Rohden and Hessisch-Oldendorf, Germany during his first assignment there.  It was these first classes that set the stage for the eventual establishment and recognition of the AKS by the German Karate Union (known as the DKV). After graduating from the university with a BS in Criminal Justice Administration, Mike received a commission in the Air Force as a 2nd lieutenant and returned to active dury as a Security Police officer.   During the next 16+ years Mike was stationed in Oklahoma, Germany (twice), Illinois (twice), England and Alabama.  He continued to train and teach at each of these locations.   His first assignment to Germany in 1979 sewed the seeds that resulted in today's AKS presence and recognition by the German Karate Union of the only non-oriental karate system, the AKS.  During many of his assignments Mike conducted classes for law enforcement officers (both civilian and military) in "come along" tactics and techniques, and the principles of "use of force" doctrine.From 1971 to the present, Mike has been involved in law enforcement.  During the 16 years he was a commissioned officer he was also involved in various levels of security, to include physical security, industrial security, counter-terrorism planning and preparations, personnel & VIP security/protection, and operations security.  Mike and Janie lived in Europe during much of the period when anti-American sentiment and terrorist attacks were mounted against the U.S. presence there.  Mike has been on three different major command staffs (2 Air Force & 1 Army) and has been a chief of police twice and an assistant chief three times. Mike and Janie retired from the Air Force in June of 1993 and took up residence in the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas.  This allowed Janie to be close to her parents for the first time in more than 16 years. Since retiring to South Texas Mike has continued to teach and work with martial artists striving to improve their knowledge and abilities.  From 1994 until 1999 Mike was responsible for authoring and publishing the AKS newsletter "The Punchline."  In April of 2000 Mike launched the AKS web site.  The reaction to the site has been promising and rewarding.  Both old and new students have found their way into membership with the AKS.  Mike also continues to author articles of opinion and insight for the The Punchline.  In addition to these areas he also runs a counsulting firm for small businesses in a variety of areas of management, supervision and security.

Above are the two black belts Mike has promoted over the years who've remained loyal to both the AKS and their friend and instructor.Pictured above left, Mike and J. D. "John" Hunt stand after JD was presented his 2nd Dan in Karate, which also included his membership in the AKS.  This took place on the occassion of Virgil Perkin's (6th Dan AKS) final sparring blow out in Carmel, Indiana, on a Saturday morning in September of 1991.  JD thought he was going to meet Mr. Lieb and some of the other senior black belts in the AKS.  He had no idea Mike had set up his review for black belt and assimulation into the AKS.The picture above right is Mike with his senior student, Rob Debelak.  Rob started with Mike in Germany in early 1980, eventually earning his black belt in the AKS and taking over the Hessisch-Oldendorf Karate Club.  It was through Rob that contact was initially made with Andreas Modl, a black belt in Wado Ryu who became Rob's student and leads the AKS in Europe today as the System's director.  JD has also played a key role by working with Mike to compile and publish the AKS' first official student handbook.  He and Mike are currently working on an updated newer version for the new millenium.  It's students like these two who make all the efforts and hard work that goes into teaching worthwhile.  There are a lot of instructors who can boast having numbers of black belt students, but few can say they have students and friends as loyal and as good of friends as Mike has with Rob and JD.  They have both been blessings to him.

The above newspaper clipping is from May of 1975.  Pictured from left are David Aguilar, myself, Joe Gonzales, and Candelario Arteaga.  Today, David Aguilar is the Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol.  He had earned his brown belt with the A.K.S. and would have tested for his black belt had he not reported for training as a federal agent with the border patrol.

BS in Criminal Justice Administration, Pan American University, Edinburg, Texas 1976MS in International Relations, (emphasis in Terrorism, extra hours in Criminal Justice) Troy State University, Wiesbaden, Germany 1987(Additional studies in Criminal Justice and Police Administration took place while in residence at the University of Southern California in 1981, and at Northwestern University in 1983)
<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype>

Pictured above are (from left to right) Ernie Lieb 10th Dan, Dr. Guesslar Normand 6th Dan, Virgil Perkins 6th Dan and Mike on the occassion of his 6th Dan test in Toledo Ohio, December of 1991.  Ernie had kept it quiet that he intended to review both Guesslar and Virgil for their 5th Dans at that time.  That morning, before going to the Toledo YMCA where Guesslar had been teaching classes for several years, the two unsuspecting gentlemen enjoyed a healthy breakfast, while Mike kept it light as he was anticipating several hours of rigorous review under Ernie's ever watchful and critical eye.  Suffice it to say it was a long morning for a couple of well fed black belts.

In August, 2008, in recognition of his untiring commitment to the martial arts community and his superlative teaching effectiveness, Major (USAF ret) Michael A. Sullenger AKS Chief Instructor, 9th Dan was inducted into the Master's Hall of Fame at the Anaheim Hilton in Riverside, California.
	He was also awarded the "Golden Lifetime Achievement Award" and was named a "Founding Member of the Academy of Masters and Masters Hall of Fame."  Along with that award, the American Karate SystemSM is now a founding member as well.
	The Awards event included mini seminars conducted by some of Martial Art's most notable artists.  Among them were Soke David Dye.  His style is Shuyokan-Ryu.   He's known as the "Samurai Cop of Los Angeles."Another session was conducted by Cane Master Mark Shuey Sr., founder of Cane Master International Association who was very well-versed on using the cane in both offensive and defensive techniques.Pictured (L. to R.) Roy Almanza Jr., Soke David Dye, Hanshi Dan Hect (Director of the Awards Event), and Hanshi Mike Sullenger
	Next was a grappling session conducted by Shihan Luis Salseda (Lethal Control, LLC and instructor at the Los Angeles Police Department's Police Academy).Pictured (L. to R.) Hanshi Mike Sullenger, Shihan Luis Salseda and Roy Almanza Jr.
	And last but not least, a martial artist very well known to all, was none other than Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.As stated by Roy Almanza Jr. 2nd Dan, A.K.S.,, "If I had to compare him (Bill Wallace) to someone just as great, it would be our great Founder, Mr. Lieb.   Mr. Lieb always had a great sense of humor outside the dojo.   He (Mr. Lieb) also was a very humble man who always enjoyed talking about everything and anything.   Mr. Wallace is the same way." Pictured (L. to R.) Hanshi Mike Sullenger, Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and Roy Almanza Jr.

Major Michael A. Sullenger Retired	Willacy County Deputy Sheriff Michael A. Sullenger	Cameron County Deputy Sheriff Michael A. Sullenger

Since retiring from the Air force, Mike has continued in law enforcement with the Willacy County Sheriff's Department, first as the chief jail administrator and later as a member of the reserve.  He is currently the training Sergeant and Range Master for the Willacy County Sheriff's Department.Mike is also a member of the Cameron County Sheriff's Department serving as a basic deputy and trainer for Cameron County. Mike worked with South Texas Community College in McAllen as the director of a grant from the Department of Labor, while also teaching American and Texas government as an adjunct professor.When the grant ran out in December of 2000, he moved to the other side of the South Texas Rio Grande Valley to become a fulltime professor at Texas State Technical College, where he continues to this day.  Mike's teaching responsibilities at TSTC revolve around American and Texas government.  He teaches the aspects of the history and evolution of our country and the State of Texas, while also including examples and discussions about the differences of the early years with those of today.  With the various arguments between the left and the right (liberal/socialists and conservatives) it makes for some challenging talks between those who claim beliefs on those respective ideals.Mike has also begun teaching karate classes at the college during the Fall and Spring semesters.  His deputy sheriff responsibilities also took on a broader area of responsibility when he became the departments training and range sergeant for both reserve and active personnel.

 


Pictured above are the members of my family:
From left to right, my wife, Janie, my oldest daughter, Erica and her younger sister, Michelle.
Hello !   from "The Sullengers' "
Martial Arts Historical Profile

Dave Thomas, 9th Dan

Chief Instructor
2021-Present American Karate Club - Cassell Training Center - Muskegon, MI
2019-2020 Tri-Cities Family YMCA - AKS Karate Club - Grand Haven, MI
1991-2019 Muskegon Karate Club/Ross Park - Muskegon, MI

David Thomas Sr., 9th Dan, is the Chief Instructor of the American Karate System, and a member of the AKS Board of Advisors. Dave was unanimously elected as Chief Instructor at 2025 Summer Camp upon Fred Reinecke's decision to step-down due to personal reasons. Dave took this position to see that Ernie's vision for the AKS might prosper.

In 1968 Dave's best friend, Steve Thurkettle, gave him his karate uniform.   Steve had enlisted in the Navy and was about to depart for basic.   Steve told Dave to, "put this to good use." Dave did just that.   He started his training with Mr. Lieb in September of that same year.   Though he was only able to attend the classes for three months, he was hooked.   The experiences and knowledge he gained in those three months made an impression that has lasted to this day.   In April of 1971 Dave saw Mr. Lieb at a boat show.   Mr. Lieb told him he was starting a new class at Muskegon Community College.   The next month Dave began karate classes anew.

Dave with Steve Thurkettle of Oklahoma	1972	Circa 1976

Dave's second start at training with Mr. Lieb has resulted in a life long commitment to the arts and the AKS. He never considered himself to be athletically inclined, though a look at his accomplishments in tournaments around the Midwest would indicate differently. Dave is fond of telling his students he had to train twice as hard as his peers to be half as good. What he learned in Mr. Lieb's classes was not only how to kick, punch and defend himself, but also how to persevere regardless of the circumstances. This tenet became an important staple of Dave's life. This perseverance saw him win during one competition with a dislocated shoulder.

Dave earned his 1st degree black belt in August 1974. This was a big accomplishment for him at that point in his life. It gave him the confidence to return to college where he completed his associate's degree. He became a project engineer and has succeeded in areas where others had failed. Over the years, Dave started and managed several prosperous manufacturing companies. With all Dave's successes, he still considers earning his 1st Dan as his biggest accomplishment. This is because he thought he would never be able to accomplish it.

Dave has been an instructor since 1984. He strives to share with his students the benefits and personal growth he experienced as a result of his training. He has trained and promoted more than thirty black belts, and was responsible for the only martial arts series to air on local television. Over the years, Mr. Thomas has been voted AKS Instructor of the Year, and AKS Black Belt of the Year three times. He is the only recipient of the Herbert Klien Sportsman's Award, named for Mr. Lieb's brother.

In 2017, Dave was presented the Ernest H. Lieb award upon semi-retiring from advisory duties within the AKS. He continues as Chief Instructor of American Karate Clubs at Ross Park in Muskegon, MI, the Tri-Cities Family YMCA AKS Karate Club in Grand Haven, MI, and the Oklahoma Karate Club in Mustang, Oklahoma. Dave will also be in charge of financial matters within the AKS organization.

Sensei Thomas' personal and professional commitment today is to the AKS and his students. In the years before Mr. Lieb's untimely death, Dave was a regular visitor and confidant of our founder. He has been, and continues to be, a strong supporter of the Chief Instructor, along with his counterparts, in maintaining the integrity and growth of the AKS through his instructional endeavors and his leadership to the organization. Dave feels it is imperative that not only his students, but also all who become students and members of the AKS have the same opportunities to grow and learn he has had. He knows their lives will be forever changed as his was.

Martial Arts Profile

• 1st Dan  American Karate System - August 16, 1974
• 2nd Dan  American Karate System - March 20, 1976
• 3rd Dan  American Karate System - January 3, 1987
• 4th Dan  American Karate System - May 18, 1991
• 5th Dan  American Karate System - June 26, 1999
• 6th Dan  American Karate System - Master Level, June 22, 2002
• 7th Dan  American Karate System - Assistant Chief Instructor, June 11, 2005
• 8th Dan  American Karate System - Assistant Chief Instructor, July 20, 2007
• 8th Dan  American Karate System - Chief Instructor American Karate Club, 2017

Martial Arts Awards

• 2017  Erniest H. Lieb Award
• AKS Instructor of the Year
• AKS Black Belt of the Year (3 times)
• Sole recipient of the Herbert Klien Sportsman's Award