Advocates for Change
David Kahn Co-Founder Krav Maga for America 501(c)(3)
has officially trained more than 250 law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Secret Service, US Marshals, DEA, ATF, DOD Police, USCG Police, Philadelphia PD, NYPD, and NJTPD along with state police agencies from NJ, PA, NY, CT, MA, VT, TX, MN, RI, KY, VA and MD. David has also officially trained U.S. Navy SEALs, Army Green Berets, Marine and Air Force Special Operations, Royal Marines along with the Italian Caribinieri.
David serves as the U.S. Chief Instructor for the non-profit Israeli Krav Maga Association. He has published eight award-winning books focusing on situational awareness, emotional regulation, decision-making, self-defense, and use-of-force legal considerations in English, Mandarin, Polish and German. He has been featured in more than two dozen national publications including The New York Times, New Yorker, USA Today, GQ, Men’s Fitness, Men’s Vogue, Black Belt, Allure, Fitness, LA Times, and Washington Post along with Police Magazine, Police1, New Jersey Cops, SOFREP, the Globe and Special Operations Report. He also created the Football Combatives program for the NFL (including Aaron Donald, Rashad Weaver and Khalil Mack) along with the NCAA (including his Alma Mater Princeton University.) David earned his BA cum laude from Princeton University in 1994 and his JD from the University of Miami in 1998. Princeton PBA 130 awarded David a lifetime achievement silver card for his pro bono law enforcement work.
Claire Brown MSW, LCSW — Co-Founder and Head of Development
has subspecialty expertise in anger management and cultural sensitivity training. With ten years of non-profit executive experience and as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with deep training in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Claire will spearhead the coherence and resiliency training while helping run Development.
Prior to becoming an MSW, LSCW, Claire served for seven years as the Executive Director of the 501(c)(3) Princeton in Latin America (PiLA). Prior to serving as PiLA’s director, Claire worked for three years as the Assistant Director for Princeton University’s Annual Giving development arm. She directed five class-based fundraising efforts for $37 million campaign and recruited, trained, and managed a team of 68 volunteers, and led several classes to record-setting results in the fiscal year 2005. Claire fundraised operating budget annually, including creation of marketing tools, stewardship of all donors, particularly leadership level donors, writing of foundation grants, identifying and soliciting new donors, organization, and implementation of fundraising events. Claire earned her BA cum laude from Princeton University in 1994 and is married to David Kahn.
Major (ret.) Sean P. Hoggs I — Programming Director
is a Police Krav Maga Defensive tactics instructor who also served in the 353d Special Operations Group, Air Force Special Operations Command. Sean will spearhead cultural competency training. He served as a "Black Hat," 421st Ground Combat Readiness Instructor, and Certified Lines Combatives Instructor. Sean was awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Medal under the President Obama administration. Sean authored the celebrated book The Bastard Child. He is a noted mentor and role model to inner-city youth. He is an internationally recognized humanitarian who is finishing his doctoral degree (Ed. D in Education with a focus on improvement science and implicit bias). Sean will reinforce tactics and coherence strategties learned in the course while incorporating implicit bias recognition and cognitive restructuring through scenarios and role-play interaction with officers.
Sgt. (ret.) Corey Jones—
served 27 years as a police officer with 15 years as a regional SWAT commander. In addition to his special operations and weapons expertise, Corey is a certified instructor in Police Krav Maga, Taser, Verbal De-escalation, and tactical communication training. Corey regularly appears on several television networks as a subject matter expert.
Sgt. (ret.) Mick McComb —
is a 25-year veteran of the NJ State Police, having served in the Office of Professional Standards as the lead use-of-force academy instructor for recruits, in-service and advanced training, and internal affairs investigator. Mick has served as a federally accredited expert witness in more than 70 lawsuits.
Officer Albert “Poodie” Carson II —
served as a police officer for the past 27 years. Poodie is a certified instructor in Police Krav Maga and, has trained Academy instructors for the PA State Police, Philadelphia Police, and is a certified instructor by the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). Poodie is also instrumental in the David Kahn Football Combatives program, having trained such marquee players as Aaron Donald Khalil Mack and Rashad Weaver.
Col. (ret.) Corey Britcher —
recently retired from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement after serving for 28 year rising to the rank of Colonel and Director of the Commission's Bureau of Law Enforcement. He currently serves as a Deputy Sheriff in Franklin County (PA) specializing in Use of Force training. Corey is a certified Krav Maga instructor and has trained state, county, and municipal offices and deputies.
Sheriff’s Deputy Darren DeSalvo —
has served as a Sheriff’s Deputy since 2001 and trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1995 holding a 3rd degree black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros. Darren discovered Krav Maga in 2004 and is an authorized senior Police Krav Maga instructor under David Kahn. Darren has worked in numerous capacities in Law Enforcement with presently being assigned to the training cadre of the St John Parish Sheriff’s Office and Academy in Laplace Louisiana.
Sgt. (ret.) Cliff Pollard —
served 27 years with the NJ State Police, has over a decade of Krav Maga training with David Kahn and is a Police Krav Maga Instructor. Cliff currently serves as Second in Command for Mercer County Community College.
Rinaldo Rossi —
received the first Israeli Krav Maga Blackbelt and civilian Police Krav Maga instructor credentialing under David Kahn. Rinaldo has provided extensive training to the Police and military communities including invitations to teach at the FBI and DEA Academies along with the Navy SEAL Advanced Training Command.
Dr. Jay Ferraro —
is a recognized authority in peak performance coaching and transformational leadership development. He specializes in enhancing emotional intelligence to drive organizational results while designing robust corporate cultures that can sustain them. Jay has trained extensively with David Kahn in Krav Maga.
Paul Karleen, PhD —
Paul Karleen holds a PhD in linguistics and is a senior Krav Maga Instructor, Krav Maga book editor and photographer who helped produce Krav Maga Fundamental Strategies and Krav Maga Combatives. Paul is instrumental in the development of Police Krav Maga development and training.
Don Melnick —
Don teaches several weekly classes, manages day-to-day operations, serves as the coordinator for both Civilian & Law Enforcement training programs, manages the Israeli Krav Maga Affiliate Program, and spearheads a number of pro-bono training programs for various organizations & charity fundraisers.
Christopher Cornish —
is an experienced talent manager and Co-founder of Whetstone Ent. With over 20 years of experience spearheading new biz for notable clients such as Rihanna’s Fenty corp., RCA Records/Bystorm, EMPIRE and Bad Boy Ent. as well as representing several A-list clients like Nicki Minaj, Akon, J.Cole and actor Tristan Mack Wilds.
David P. Schroth, Esq. —
David Schroth is an attorney admitted to practice Law in NJ since 1993 and is a partner in the law firm of Destribats, Campbell, Staub & Schroth. David is has experience defending high profile UOF cases.
Anchor Richard Williams —
is a renowned news anchor with over 30 years of experience who holds a major network news slot. Rick is a heralded community builder and top level Krav Maga practitioner. He currently sits on the board of Philadelphia Futures, a non-profit organization that mentors college-bound Philadelphia students.
Justice Mitchell — Marketing & Content Director
Justice Mitchell is a seasoned marketing professional with a unique combination of strategic and creative skills. With over three decades of experience in developing and executing cross-channel brand-building initiatives, he has worked with various global brands across various industries, including Audi, US Navy, and Ritz Carlton. His expertise extends beyond the corporate sector. He has also been involved in launching, branding, and developing non-profit and philanthropic causes, including National AMBUCS, Inc., FusionFest, and Adaptive Martial Arts programming.
In addition to his professional pursuits, Mitchell is dedicated to giving back to the community through education. He serves as an adjunct professor at Valencia Community College in Orlando and an assistant martial arts instructor for children and adults. He is also actively involved in post-collegiate mentoring programs for design, marketing, and start-up students. Mitchell's passion for marketing, martial arts, and diversity-inclusive service makes him a valuable asset to any organization. With his wealth of experience, innovative approach, and commitment to education and mentorship, he is poised to significantly impact Krav Maga For America.
Kim Pimley —
Kim co-founded and runs a financial education firm that has trained bankers in over 40 countries for over 30 years. She has served on the non-profit boards of many faith, cultural, and healthcare organizations and chaired the board of Penn Medicine Princeton Health. Kim is an avid Krav Maga practitioner.