Biographys of the WSKF Board of Directors
Kyoshi Jeff Leistner - Jeff Leistner began studying karate in Greenville, Ohio in 1974 at the age of 21 under the watchful eye of Kyoshi Jack McPeek and Hanshi Frank Grant. Jeff opened his dojo in Troy, Ohio and has been serving this community since 1982. In his years of Matsubayashi-ryu study, he has had the opportunity to train with the best leaders of our style, Hanshi Frank Grant and Kyoshi Jack McPeek. Jeff also had the opportunity to train with Grand Master Nagamine and Master Takayoshi Nagamine many times. In 1991, Jeff was promoted by the Grand Master to Go Dan at his dojo in Naha, Okinawa. Over the years, Jeff has held several positions on the Board of Directors of the WSKF and in 2004 was elected President. Kyoshi Leistner currently holds the rank of Shichi Dan and his favorite kata is Kusanku.
Kyoshi Glenda Olin - Glenda Olin began her martial arts training in 1972 in Tae Kwon Do. After training for 3 years and receiving a 1st degree black belt, she joined the Okinawan Matsubayashi-ryu family of karate. Since 1975, Glenda has trained under Hanshi Grant, at his dojos on Troy Street, Tipp City in Ohio, Kentucky and currently in Piqua, Ohio. In 1996, Glenda began teaching martial arts to kids. She has since started her own non-profit organization Partners Against Crime (PAC) to support her martial arts program. In 1991, Glenda was promoted to Go Dan by Grand Master Nagamine in Okinawa. At the inception of the WSKF, Glenda was appointed by Hanshi Grant to become Secretary and still holds that same position to date. Glenda plays a dual role in the WSKF as she was elected Vice President in 2004. Kyoshi Olin currently holds the rank of Shichi Dan and her favorite kata is Gojushiho.
Kyoshi Harley McCabe - Harley McCabe has been studying karate since 1967 while in the Army and put up his first makiwara in his yard. Studying after that was from books until his training in Matsubayashi-ryu in 1970 with Bobby Bruce, who became his closest and dearest friend. In 1977, Bobby Bruce urged him to begin formal training at Hanshi Grant's dojo on Troy Street. His love of kata resulted in practicing each one hundreds of times monthly. Harley is the WSKF web administrator and the WSKF treasurer, a title he has held since shortly after the WSKF was formed. Currently, Kyoshi McCabe holds the rank of Shichi Dan and Gojushiho is his favorite kata.
Kyoshi Tommie Harris - Tommie Harris started his martial arts training in 1961 at the Bushi Kai Dojo on Patterson Blvd. in Dayton, OH. This is when he met Hanshi Grant, who was a Green Belt at the dojo. In 1963 when Sensei Grant opened the 5th Street Dojo, he continued his training. He was the first student to earn a Black Belt under Hanshi Grant in August, 1967. In addition to training with Hanshi Grant on 5th Street, Kyoshi Harris also trained at the dojos on Troy Street and Tipp City in Ohio, Kentucky and Piqua, Ohio. He was one of the main instructors teaching classes throughout the years and while Hanshi Grant was training in Okinawa. Kyoshi Harris is an Advisor on the WSKF Board of Directors. He currently holds the rank of Hachi Dan in Matsubayashi-ryu Shorin-ryu and Sho Dan in Kobudo. His favorite basic kata is Pinan Shodan and Kusanku is his favorite advanced kata.
Kyoshi Jack McPeek - Jack McPeek began studying karate at the age of 13 when Hanshi Grant agreed to accept his 2 older brothers and Jack as students. Hanshi's teaching was very strict and demanding and he never let anyone give up under any circumstances. In 1970, while in the U.S. Army Jack studied karate for over a year under Master Shoshin Nagamine in his dojo in Okinawa. Training in the tropical climate in Okinawa was difficult at first but he found his previous training under Hanshi more than prepared him for any challenge. After returning from the Army in 1973, Hanshi encouraged Jack to open his own dojo. Since then, Jack has spent many happy years watching the development and transformation of those who have come to train in the Way of Karate. In 2004 Kyoshi McPeek achieved the rank of Hachi Dan and currently serves as an Advisor on the WSKF Board of Directors. His favorite kata are the Naihanchi.
Kyoshi Jim Driggs - Jim Driggs began training in Shorin-ryu Karate in 1963 under Sensei James Wax, the first American black belt in Shorin-ryu. He opened his first dojo with Sensei Takayoshi Nagamine and has trained and studied with Hanshi Grant for over 20 years. He traveled with Hanshi over a span of 5 years, teaching clinics and promoting Shorin-ryu Karate. Over the years, he has held the office of Sales and Promotional Director, Chief Director and now serves as an Advisor on the WSKF Board of Directors. For 6 years, Kyoshi Driggs held the Man of the Mountain event which later developed into the WSKF Internationals. Kyoshi Driggs holds the rank of Hachi Dan and continues to train at his Dojo in Stewart, OH. His favorite kata is Naihanchi Sandan.
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