Oh Dan (5th Degree) Master, Tang Soo Do

Sah Dan (4th Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 1991

Master Altiere attained the rank of International Master Instructor in the WTSDA in 2015. His masters training includes attendance at the Masters' Clinic—an annual gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates from around the world. Master Altiere is the Chief Instructor under Grandmaster Vaughn instructing the Saturday Black Belt class and he previously taught the Cho Dan Bo Class at the Audubon Dojang. Prior to training in Tang Soo Do, he studied Isshinryu Karate. Master Altiere has been an active member of the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang since its inception. He is the dojang historian, Chair of the Dragon's Den Newsletter Committee, member of the Executive Committee, and the coordinator of numerous special projects. Annually, Master Altiere organizes the Dojang Spring Cleaning and a collection for the Bethesda Project—a charitable organization dedicated to helping the homeless of Philadelphia. He is an active participant in the World Ki Gong Club. He is a WTSDA-certified International Judge, a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Scholarship committee and the Instructors Class, and an instructor at the annual Region 8 Black Belt Camp. Master Altiere is a graduate of Edinboro University and has earned post-graduate designations as a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), and Risk and Insurance Management Society's RIMS Fellow (RF). He recently retired as President of PMA Management Corporation. Master Altiere is married, has three children, and he is the proud grandfather of Ben and Rosalie.

Oh Dan (5th Degree) Master, Tang Soo Do

Chil Dan (7th Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 1991

Master Lipstein attained the rank of International Master Instructor in the WTSDA in 2010. He was promoted to 5th Degree Master in 2018. His masters training includes annual attendance at the Masters' Clinic—an international gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates. At Vaughn's Dojang, Master Lipstein is a member of the Executive Committee and the Testing Committee, the Chair of the Special Events Committee, and was co-coordinator for Vaughn's Winter Championship. Previously he taught an advanced gup class and was the Chief Instructor at the Phoenixville YMCA. Master Lipstein has been an active member of the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang since its inception. He introduced a weekly Sin Moo Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang once he obtained his Cho Dan in Hapkido from Do Ju Nim, Ji Han Jae. Hapkido classes are held twice a week and the program has produced several Black Belts since its inception. Master Lipstein serves as treasurer of the WTSDA as well as the World Tang Soo Do Foundation (WTSDF), and is a member of the Building Fund Committee. He is the leader of the Ki Gong Club at Vaughn's Dojang and was formerly the East Coast coordinator for the World Ki Gong Club. Master Lipstein is a WTSDA-certified International Judge, a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Instructors Class, and an instructor at the annual Region 8 Black Belt Camp. He is a member of the board of directors of several non-profit organizations, including Chester County Hospital and the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Master Lipstein is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and, prior to retirement, was the Chief Financial Officer for Comcast-Spectacor for over 20 years. He is married and has three children.

Oh Dan (5th Degree) Master, Tang Soo Do

E Dan (2nd Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 1994

Dr. Painter attained the rank of International Master Instructor in the WTSDA in 2018. His masters training includes annual attendance at the Masters' Clinic—an international gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates. Dr. Painter is the Chief Instructor at the Phoenixville YMCA. Until May 2009, Dr. Painter was the Chief Instructor for the Special Dragons program at Vaughn's Dojang where he was able to use his background in psychology to help develop the curriculum for this unique martial arts program for persons with special needs. Dr. Painter is a member of Vaughn's Dojang Executive Committee and has held the position of Leadership Club President. He has trained for many years in the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang. Dr. Painter is a WTSDA-certified International Judge, a member of the WTSDA Publications Committee, the WTSD50 Strategic Planning Committee, and a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Scholarship Committee and the Instructors Class. He is a licensed and school-certified psychologist in Pennsylvania and has held leadership positions in the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Dr. Painter earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Penn State University, a Master's Degree and PhD in School Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh, and is a magna cum laude graduate of Widener University School of Law. He recently retired as an attorney and special counsel with the law firm of Sweet, Stevens, Katz and Williams in New Britain, Pennsylvania where he represented Pennsylvania school districts. Dr. Painter is married and has two children. His son Josh is a Sam Dan and his daughter Rachel is a Cho Dan in the WTSDA.

Oh Dan (5th Degree) Master, Tang Soo Do

E Dan (2nd Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 1998

Master Winsko attained the rank of International Master Instructor in the WTSDA in 2016. Her masters training includes attendance at the Masters' Clinic—an annual gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates from around the world. She previously taught the 7:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class at the Audubon Dojang. She was an assistant instructor in various classes from 2001 through 2005. Master Winsko is a member of the Executive Committee and has served as Vaughn's Leadership Club President and Secretary, Chair of the Vaughn's Charitable Activities Committee, Blood Drive coordinator, and Grandmaster Vaughn's personal secretary. Master Winsko also trained for many years in the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang. She has also led numerous Women's Self-Defense clinics. In addition, Master Winsko is General Counsel to the WTSDA and the WTSDF and is a member of the Board of Directors for both organizations, as well as a member of the Building Committee. She is a WTSDA-certified International Judge and a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Instructors Class. Master Winsko was the recipient of the Region 8 Student of the Year award in 2011 and WTSDA (International) Student of the Year in 2012. She was also the Women's Senior Dan Grand Champion at the 2011 Region 8 Eastern Championship. Master Winsko is a graduate of Villanova University and a magna cum laude graduate of Widener University School of Law. She is Managing Counsel at BNY Mellon | Pershing. Master Winsko is married and has one child.

Sah Dan (4th Degree) Master, Tang Soo Do

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 1999

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Master Summers attained the rank of International Master Instructor in the WTSDA in 2019. He is the Chief Instructor for the very successful Tiny Tigers/Little Dragons (TTLD) program at the Audubon Dojang—a program that he has led for more than 15 years. His masters training includes attendance at the Masters' Clinic—an annual gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates from around the world. He is responsible for assisting with computer issues at the dojang. Master Summers' interests in the martial arts extend to working with knives and swords, and he has attended a WTSDA Silk and Steel seminar (specialized training in edged and flexible weapons). He also trains in the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang. Master Summers helps to publish the program booklet for the WTSDA World Championship, is a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Instructors Class, and is a WTSDA-certified Regional Judge. He has a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Millersville University and is currently employed at Unisys Corporation as a Senior System Design Engineer. Master Summers trains with his son Matt, who is a Sam Dan in the WTSDA.

Sah Dan (4th Degree), Tang Soo Do

E Dan (2nd Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2000

Mr. Mentley is the Chief Instructor for the 6:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class at the Audubon Dojang along with his wife, Mrs. Lisa Mentley. Mr. & Mrs. Mentley taught the 7:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday class at the Audubon Dojang from 2004 through 2010. Mr. Mentley served as an assistant instructor for the 6:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class from 2001 through 2004. As part of his Sah Dan training, Mr. Mentley attends the Masters' Clinic—an annual gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates from around the world. He manages the Vaughn's Dojang website, oversees the dojang's Facebook pages, and assists with the editing and production of the Dragon's Den newsletter with Mrs. Mentley. He has been an active member of the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang for many years. Mr. Mentley is the WTSDA Region 8 Treasurer and is a member of the Region 8 Leadership Program; he was Treasurer of the program from 2017 to 2022. Mr. Mentley has attended a WTSDA Silk and Steel seminar (specialized training in edged and flexible weapons). He has competed and placed in numerous WTSDA tournaments at the local, regional, and world levels, and is a WTSDA-certified Regional Judge. Mr. Mentley has also been a member of the WTSDA security team at regional events. He has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Penn State University and an MBA from Villanova University. Mr. Mentley is currently retired. Previously, he was a consultant specializing in regulatory submissions and project management in the biomedical industry. Mr. & Mrs. Mentley's children are both Black Belts in the WTSDA.

Sah Dan (4th Degree), Tang Soo Do

Sah Dan (4th Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2004

Dr. Thompson is the Chief Instructor for the Saturday Gup class at the Audubon Dojang. He is the former Chief Instructor for the 7:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday class at the Audubon Dojang along with his wife, Mrs. Susan Thompson from 2010 through 2014. Previously, he instructed the 6:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class with Mr. Ray Salas and instructed the Saturday morning all-levels class with Mrs. Thompson at the Audubon Dojang. Dr. Thompson is also the former coach for the Vaughn's Dojang Creativity Demo Team. As part of his Sah Dan training, Dr. Thompson attends the Masters' Clinic—an annual gathering of Grandmaster William Strong, WTSDA masters, and master candidates from around the world. He has been an active member of the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang since its inception. Dr. Thompson is the WTSDA Region 8 Scholarship Committee Chair. Region 8 currently awards $12,000 in college scholarships annually to members of the region. He is a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Leadership Program and is a WTSDA-certified Corner Judge. Dr. Thompson has a PhD in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and is currently Executive Director, CMC, Preclinical and Medicinal Chemistry at Libertas Bio. His wife, son, and daughter are also Black Belts in the WTSDA.

Sam Dan (3rd Degree), Tang Soo Do

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2000

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Mrs. Mentley is a Chief Instructor for the 6:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class at the Audubon Dojang with her husband, Mr. Rick Mentley. She and Mr. Mentley also instructed the 7:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday class at the Audubon Dojang from 2004 through 2010. Previously, she was an instructor at the Audubon YMCA for an all-levels class and a Tiny Tigers/Little Dragons class. Mrs. Mentley has been the Dragon's Den newsletter editor since 2004. She has assisted at numerous local, regional, and world WTSDA events, and is a WTSDA-certified Corner Judge. Mrs. Mentley is a summa cum laude graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Bachelor of Arts in Economics; she also has an MBA from Villanova University. She is currently enjoying retirement and was previously a financial analysis manager for a large multinational corporation. Mrs. Mentley enjoys training in Tang Soo Do with her husband Rick; their children are both Black Belts in the WTSDA.

Sam Dan (3rd Degree), Tang Soo Do

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2001

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Mr. Peters is the Chief Instructor for the 7:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class at the Audubon Dojang. He began training at Vaughn’s Dojang at a young age and during the subsequent 12 years with the studio he earned his Sam Dan, captained the Vaughn's Dojang Creativity Demo Team, and instructed the Tiny Tigers/Little Dragons class at the Audubon YMCA. Mr. Peters then moved to Connecticut where he was a Chief Instructor and captain of the demo team at JC Karate in Cheshire, Connecticut for 8 years. He rejoined Vaughn’s Dojang upon returning to Pennsylvania. Mr. Peters is an Account Executive with Stratix Systems. He enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young sons.

Sam Dan (3rd Degree), Tang Soo Do

Cho Dan (1st Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2004

Mr. Buckwalter is a Chief Instructor who previously taught the 6:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class at the Audubon Dojang. He has been an active member of the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang since its inception. Mr. Buckwalter regularly volunteers at local and regional WTSDA events, including tournaments and Black Belt tests. Since 2017 he has been employed at Communications Test Design, Inc. as an associate electronic technician. Mr. Buckwalter is also a local visual artist in nearby Phoenixville, PA. He earned an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and later graduated from Temple University's Tyler School of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Mr. Buckwalter's notable recent work includes the regular "Just for Kicks" cartoon feature in the magazine, Tae Kwon Do Times. His cartoons are also a favorite feature in the Vaughn's Dojang newsletter. Click on Newsletters under News & Events above to see examples of Mr. Buckwalter's work in past issues of the newsletter.

Sam Dan (3rd Degree), Tang Soo Do

E Dan (2nd Degree), Sin Moo Hapkido

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2007

Mr. Braun is a Chief Instructor who previously taught the 7:00 PM Monday & Wednesday class and the Special Dragons class at the Audubon Dojang. He also served as the assistant instructor for the Cho Dan Bo class (advanced training for Gup students preparing for Black Belt). Mr. Braun has been an active member of the Hapkido program at Vaughn's Dojang since its inception and he is a member of the WTSDA Region 8 Leadership Program. Mr. Braun is a WTSDA-certified Corner Judge and, along with his fellow instructors at Vaughn's Dojang, is a frequent volunteer at local, regional, and world WTSDA events. Mr. Braun is a Commercial IT Business Partner at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. He has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, holding various IT program, project and management roles—specializing in supporting new pharmaceutical launches and marketing. Mr. Braun holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Scranton and is married to his wife Mary and they have two children.

Sam Dan (3rd Degree), Tang Soo Do

Training at Vaughn's Dojang since 2007

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Mr. Robertson is the Chief Instructor at the Spring Valley YMCA. Until September 2022, he was the head instructor for the 6:00 PM Tuesday & Thursday class at the Audubon Dojang. He also served as an assistant instructor to Master Painter in the Phoenixville YMCA program for many years, as well as assisting with various testing panels, Special Dragons classes, and other studio initiatives. Mr. Robertson is an active participant in the Vaughn's Dojang Hapkido program and oversees the dojang's Facebook pages. He has competed at and served in various supporting roles at WTSDA events over the years. Mr. Robertson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Ithaca College and two master’s degrees from Rosemont College—an MFA in Creative Writing and an MA in Publishing. He currently works as Content and Social Media Manager at The American College of Financial Services. In his spare time, Mr. Robertson enjoys writing—he is a published author of fiction and a prolific writer in genres from young adult and historical fiction to fantasy/sci-fi and adult contemporary. He also enjoys teaching, both in an academic setting and with other Tang Soo Do students.