Rick Stanford – Taekwondo

Colonel & Grandmaster Rick D. Stanford, PhD 

Honorable Colonel & Grandmaster Rick D. Stanford, PhD (GMS), started training Martial Arts in Judo and Taekwondo in Fort Smith,

Arkansas, in January 1976, under GM Scott McNeely, World Taekwondo Alliance and GM Heung Ung Lee, American Taekwondo Association. He is now an Internationally Certified and fully Accredited 9^th Degree Black Belt sanctioned and recognized by the highest-level Organizations and Grandmasters in the World. He has spent a lifetime learning, training, and developing world-class skills and leadership. 

Grandmaster Stanford was bestowed his Official Honorable Kentucky Colonel, the highest award you can earn from the State of Kentucky and bestowed upon GMS by the sitting Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, May 18, 2021.

Martial Arts History

Grandmaster Stanford first started my Martial Arts training in Judo in 1975. Soon after, GMS started Taekwondo training in 1976 under GM Scott McNeely in Fort Smith Arkansas in the American Taekwondo Association. Through his 48-year loyalty to his original GM McNeely he was in several organizations such as to United States Taekwondo Alliance, Choong Sil Kwon Taekwondo Federation, United States Taekwondo Federation, United States Foundation, United States Taekwondo Union, Global Taekwondo Federation, World Taekwondo Federation, International Chang Hon Taekwondo Federation and the Global Taekwondo Alliance with Nam Tae Hi.

GMS began cross training in multiple Martial Arts disciplines throughout his 48 years of training to include Taekwondo, Choi Kwang Do, Shotokan Karate-do, Kyang Ho Moo Sool, Hapkido, Aikido, GoJu-Kai Karate-do, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Okinawan Kobujutsu, Yamashita Shorin-Ryu Karate Japanese Weeping Willow Ju-Jutsu, Kung-Fu, Gung-fu, Kalie, Arnis, Krav Maga, Boxing, Wrestling, and Judo. He earned numerous Certifications in Police Defensive Tactics, Criminal Countermeasures, Spontaneous Knife Defense, Weapons Retention, ASP, Security Personal Protection and Law Enforcement Defensive Tactics Instructor.  

GMS is certified and recognized by numerous Martial Arts organizations including: International Taekwondo Confederation, International Taekwondo Federation-Headquarters, Global Taekwondo Federation, Word Taekwondo Federation, United States Taekwondo Union, United States Taekwondo Foundation, United Taekwondo Alliance, World Taekwondo Alliance, United States Taekwondo Foundation, Southwestern Karate Black Belt Association, Texas Karate Black Belt Association, American Black Belt Karate Association, American Martial Arts Alliance, Sport Karate Museum, International Grand Masters Council, United States Martial Arts Association, Professional Black Belt Association, The US International Grand Masters Counsel of America, Master Sokeship Union, Traditional Karate Pioneers, Legends and Champions, Traditional Okinawan Kobujutsu Association, Black Dragon Fighting Society, Tadashi Yamishita Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do. . 

Dr. Stanford has trained with and/or Certified Taekwondo Pioneers and Grand Masters and Karate Grandmasters from around the World including ITF Taekwondo Founder GM General Choi Hong Hi – 9^th Dan, TKD WTO Founder Pioneer GM Kong Young Il- 9^th Dan, TKD GTF Founder Pioneer GM Park Jung Tae- 9^th Dan, TKD ATA Founder Pioneer GM Heung Ung Lee – 9^th Dan, TKD Pioneer GM Nam Tae Hi- 9^th Dan, TKD Founder WTA GM Scott McNeely- 9^th Dan , TKD GM Robert Hardin- 9^th Dan, 10^th Dan, AKBBA GGM Rudy Smedley 10^th Dan. TKD Pioneer GM Sik Choi- 9^th Dan, TKD ITC Co-Founder GM Geoffrey Ong 9^th Dan, Choi Kwang Do Founder Pioneer GM Choi Kwang Jo- 9^th Dan, , Chun Kuhn Do Founder Pioneer GM Kim Bok Man- 9^th Dan, TKD GM Robert Dunn- 9^th Dan, America Karate Pioneer and “Father of all Karate Champions GGM J. Pat Burleson –, World Kickboxing and World Boxing Champion AKBBA GGM Troy Dorsey, Kenpo Professor GM Gary Lee- 9^th Dan, Shotokan GM Jerry Offit- 8^th Dan, Krav Maga/Kenpo Professor GM Marty Cale 9^th Dan, , Founder Modern Warrior System Shaolin Kung Fu GGM Al Farris 10^th Dan, and the Famous Kobayashi Shōrin-ryū Karate/Matayoshi Kobudo GGM Tadashi Yamishita 10^th Dan, World Record Holder Yamashita Karate-do GM Sonny Garber, World Kickboxing Champion TKD Master Bill Barton, TKD Founder Juk-Ahm GM Brad Whitlow 9^th Dan, Famous and Founder Joe Lewis Fighting Systems GM Joe Lewis 10^th Dan, Famous GM Bill (Superfoot) Wallace, World Kickboxing Champion Master Layfette Lawson, Famous Movie Star ITC GM Silvio Simac 8^th Dan, World Record Holder and World Champion GM Fernando Camareno 9^th Dan, 

GM Stanford has worked as a regional manager for a large retail company, owned and operated 14 full-time martial arts schools creating nationally awarded programs like Martial Arts America, USTF Training Centers Inc., Professional Black Belt Academies and Kicks-4-Life Black Belt Academy Inc., owned and managed health clubs, owned sandwich shops, owned and managed residential, commercial and industrial paint contracting companies ProTeams Contracting, LLC.,, PaintZen, Inc., Painters USA, Inc., Harrison Contracting Inc., Kick’n Koats Painting, LLC., and PPG Paint Inc. He worked as a Counselor for at risk children, managed as Director of Business Development for Complete Care Inc. and ABC Financial both large account receivable management companies, built from the ground up without any funding for a Fortune 500 outbound call centers for TruGreen, managed branches for Scott’s managing inventory, chemical production, technician route management, fleet management and HR,, has managed sales teams and operations teams for national companies, has helped in growth management of several martial arts schools in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, and Navada, GMS has worked in international sales of Covid-19 PPE, Covid-19 test kits and inferred facial recognition software/hardware. Grandmaster Stanford currently works in the healthcare industry as a Wound Care Business Management and Exit Strategy Planning Consultant, works as a consultant to the martial arts industry in management and development of many global martial arts organizations and schools, and manages constructions companies. GM Stanford is a well known International World-Class Master Instructor, Technical Advisor, Consultant, and former owner of (14) Full-time national award-winning Taekwondo schools producing hundreds of Grandmasters, Masters, Instructors, Black Belts, Students and State, National, and World Champions globally. Internationally known World-Class Master Instructor, Technical Advisor, and former owner of (14) Full-time national award-winning Taekwondo schools producing hundreds of Masters, Instructors, Black Belts and Competitors. International Level Competitor in Forms and Sparring within several National and International organizations. He has competed Internationally for several decades in points and full-contact systems in several Taekwondo and MMA sanctioned Championships, and Open Karate Championship GMS has earned several World and National titles. (USA, Canada, and Argentina) in hundreds of competitions throughout the United States and other countries in the World. GMS not only competed on Team USA National Taekwondo Team he has also competed on the Argentina National Taekwondo Team and was the Canadian National Champion. GMS was the former Head Coach of the Women’s USA National Taekwondo Team under Pioneer Grandmaster Park, Jung Tae – Global Taekwondo Federation

He holds several National and International Board and Executive positions within several National and International Taekwondo and Karate organizations. Founder of the ITC International Military & Law Enforcement Tactical Defensive Systems, Global Training and Certification Association, Global certifications, Training, and Seminars. GM Stanford is also on the Board of Directors for the World Taekwondo Organization under the Direction of Pioneer Grandmaster Kong, Young Il and Grandmaster Casey Ilsun Kim. He is on the Advisory Board for the United World Taekwondo Association. 

International Level Competitor, Champion and World Record Holder in Forms, Sparring and Board Breaking within several National and International organizations. He has competed Internationally for several decades in points and full-contact systems in several

Taekwondo and MMA sanctioned Pitt Fighting, Full-Contact, Tough-Man, MMA, and Vale Tudo Championships, and Open Karate Championship. GMS has earned several World and National titles. (USA, Canada, and Argentina) in hundreds of competitions throughout the United States and other countries in the World. GMS not only competed on Team USA National Taekwondo Team he has also competed on the Argentina National Taekwondo Team and was the Canadian National Champion. GMS was the former Head Coach of the Women’s USA National Taekwondo Team under Pioneer Grandmaster Park, Jung Tae – Global Taekwondo Federation

• GMS is a World Record Holder for his 10-board no spacers instep (top of the bare foot) turning (round) kick made official in Houston Texas 2022 and recognized by Guinness World Records and Official World Records as the Record Holder breaking his own previous (10) board record. “Most Pine Boards Broken with a Single Kick”
• GMS is a 2X World Record Holder for his 10-board no spacers instep (top of the bare foot) turning (round) kick made official in Houston Texas 2022 and recognized by Guinness World Records and Official World Records as the Record Holder breaking his own previous (10) board record. “Most Pine Boards Broken with a Roundhouse Kick”

Lived with and trained privately with his Instructor, Pioneer Grandmaster Kong, Young IL. PGM is one of the original members of the (12) Pioneer Taekwondo Team of General Choi Hong Hi’s Taekwondo Competition Tea who traveled throughout the world offering challenges of any style or and system of fighting. The saying was “if even one of our team members is defeated at any time, we will stop teaching Taekwondo forever”. They were never defeated. Now Taekwondo is the most popular martial art on Earth by 80% and is now the second largest sport in the world with over 2.7 million practitioners.  

GMS will be physically testing and promoted (to the highest rank in Taekwondo/Karate, 10^th Degree Black Belt by the American Karate Black Belt Association in December 2024.

Education/Certifications

Official Honorable Kentucky Colonel, the highest award you can earn from the State of Kentucky and bestowed upon GMS by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear – May 15, 2021.

• Bachelor Studies – University of Arkansas Fort Smith – 1986
• Bachelor – Trinity Christian University – 1994
• MBA – ENEB – European Business School of Barcelona – Pending
• Masters Christian Studies/Business -Trinity Christian University – 1996
• Masters Management and Team Management – ENEB, the European Business School of Barcelona – Currently Enrolled
• PhD Christian Counseling – Trinity Christian University – 2000
• PhD Martial Science – San Diego International University – 2004 
• Professor and Fellow of Martial Science – Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences
• Regional Director/USA – West Coast University Panama 
• State of Arkansas Certified Firefighter II 
• Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician
• Emergency Medical Technician – University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences – 2003
• Lead Base Coatings and Remediation Technician 2009
• TruGreen University – Call Center Operations Certification in National Call Center Operations Management – 2012-2013 Branch General Management Certification – 2010
• Scotts University – Business Team Management Certification in Branch Operations & Team Management – 2013-2014
• PPG Paints Inc – Sales Management Certification in Sales Operations & Management – 2018
• Master’s Paint Institute – Architectural Coatings Technician – 2019

Internationally Certified 9^th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo – International Taekwondo Confederation, International Taekwondo Federation Americas, International Taekwondo Federation Headquarters, Young Brothers Taekwondo International Traditional Taekwondo, Traditional Combat Taekwondo, International Martial Arts Council of America, World Head of Family Sokeship Council, Sport Karate Museum, International Taekwondo Master’s Society, American Karate Black Belt Association, Texas Karate American Karate Black Belt Association, International Chang Hon Taekwondo Federation, World Taekwondo Organization, and United World Taekwondo Association. 

Internationally Accredited 9^th Degree Black Belt in Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo/ Zen Okinawa Kobudo under World Famous Soke 10^th Degree Black Belt, Tadashi Yamishita, Yamashita International Budo Association Director, and founder of the Yamashita International Budo Association which incorporates Yamashita Shorin-Ryu Karate, Yamashita-Matayoshi Kobudo and Sensei’s Suikendo Fighting System. 

Certified P.O.S.T. & Krav Maga Israeli Combat Systems – Law Enforcement Advanced Defensive Tactics Instructor, Certified Pressure Point Control Tactics/Defensive Tactics Instructor, Criminal Counter-Measures Instructor, Spontaneous Weapons Defense Instructor.

• Master Trainer in the Military Tactical Defense Academy – Ethiopia
• Master Trainer Military/Combat/Commando Tactical Defense Academy – Ivory Coast, West Africa
• Master Instructor Combat Training Pakistan Law Enforcement Training School – Pakistan
• Master Instructor & Trainer Special Forces – Nepal & Cambodia
• M.A.R.S./P.O.S.T. Certified Criminal Counter-measures Instructor 1993
• M.A.R.S./P.O.S.T. Certified Pressure Point Control Tactics Instructor 1993
• M.A.R.S./P.O.S.T. Certified Spontaneous Knife Defense Tactics Instructor 1994
• M.A.R.S./P.O.S.T. Certified PR-24 Tactics Instructor 1994
• Instructor Edged Weapons Tactics Measures
• Master Instructor/Trainer – Russian Combat Tactical Systems
• Master Instructor Security Defense Tactics – Expert – Center for Special Tactical Training Grifon – Russia
• Executive Director ITC Tactical Defense Solutions – Law Enforcement Board – Advisory Board and Tactical Technology Board
• Universal Isshinru Karate Jiu-Jitsu Association – Certified Tactical Baton 2020. 2021
• Executive VIP/Bodyguard Tactical Instructor 2016
• Certified Krav Maga Tactical Training Options Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement Advance Defensive Tactics Instructor 2020
• Level 111 – Tactical Instructor – Advanced – International Taekwondo Confederation Tactical Technology Board – 2021
• Level 1 – Gold – Advanced Instructor – The International Development Center of the Russian Combat Tactical Systems – 2021
• Certified Level #8 Instructor – Police Tactics Instructors of America, World Martial Arts Federation, UFAF Krav Maga

Special Accomplishments

GMS is a World Record Holder for his 10-board no spacers instep (top of the bare foot) turning (round) kick made official in Houston Texas 2022 and recognized by Guinness World Records and Official World Records as the Record Holder breaking his own previous (10) board record. “Most Pine Boards Broken with a Single Kick”

GMS is a 2X World Record Holder for his 10-board no spacers instep (top of the bare foot) turning (round) kick made official in Houston Texas 2022 and recognized by Guinness World Records and Official World Records as the Record Holder breaking his own previous (10) board record. “Most Pine Boards Broken with a Roundhouse Kick”.

GMS has served as the National and International Tournament Director, creator of the Stanford Martial Arts Tournament Success Systems and Author of several Tournament Judging and Instructor Development Programs.

GMS lived with and trained privately with his Instructor, Taekwondo Pioneer Grandmaster Kong, Young IL for over a year. PGM is one of the original 12 of Founder of Taekwondo, General Choi Hong HI’s Original International Taekwondo Team. 

GMS is an Official Honorable Kentucky Colonel, the highest award you can earn from the State of Kentucky and bestowed upon GMS by the sitting Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.

• Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of the International Taekwondo Confederation. 
• Co-Founder of the International Taekwondo Confederation Hall of Honors
• Co-Founder of the World Taekwondo Organization 
• Co-Founder of the World Taekwondo Organization Hall of Honors
• Co-Founder of the International Women of Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Founder of the Future Black Belt Leaders of America – National Black Belt Leadership Development Program
• Founder of Display Specialties Company – Inventor and manufacturer of the first Martial Arts “Belt Display”
• Executive Board of Advisors – World Taekwondo Organization
• Executive Board of Advisors/Directors – World Taekwondo Organization Hall of Honors – Calcutta, India
• Grandmaster’s Board of Advisors – United World Taekwondo Association
• Awarded the Outstanding Sportsman of the Year Award – Russian Government – Russian Navy – 1993
• Dual Silver medalist at the GTF World Championships Moscow, Russia – 1993
• Dual Gold medalist at the GTF International Games in Ottawa, Canada – 1994
• Awarded Top 200 Martial Arts Schools in North America 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• Most Beautiful Martial Arts School in North America 1999
• Won two elections for Arkansas State House of Representatives – 1996
• National Who’s Who in American Politics – 1996
• Co-Developer ITC Active Shooter Response Programs for Civilian and Law Enforcement
• Texas State Guard – 2^nd Lieutenant –– Chaplin
• Executive Protection/Bodyguard to multiple Celebrities, VIP’s, National and International Political Dignitaries, Movies, and National and World Concert Tours. 
• Co-Founder of the International Taekwondo Confederation with GM/Dr Geoffrey Ong former International Chang Hon Taekwondo Federation Executive Vice President. 
• Executive Patched Member of Rogue22 Motorcycle Club – Nomad and Sergent at Arms. 
• International Evangelist, Missionary and Radio Minister for Christ for the World Ministries, King’s Way Ministries, New Testament Holiness Church and Book of Act’s Salvation and Healing Church – France, Belgium, Spain, Mexico, America. 
• Recognized in the book – “The Killing Art” “The Untold History of Taekwondo, by Alex Gillis.
• Featured in the Totally Taekwondo Magazine September 2019 Edition – Dallyon in Action: Interview with Grandmaster Rick Stanford
• Featured in Tribute Book – The World’s Greatest Breaker Rick Stanford – found on Amazon
• City of Fort Smith Arkansas – Proclamation for Martial Arts Fall Festival Day – October 12, 1996
• Russian Government Sportsman of the Year Award (Awarded by Russia Navy Admirals on 300^th Anniversary of the Russian Navy) –

1993

• Taekwondo World Gold and Silver Medalist – 1993-1999
• USA Taekwondo Mean’s Team Member – 1988-2000
• USA Taekwondo Women’s Team Coach 1997
• The Who’s Who in Martial Arts Legends Hall of Fame and Biography Book – 2016, 2017, 2019.
• The Who’s Who of Martial Arts Master’s and Pioneers 2016, 2019,  
• American Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame- International Advisory Committee
• World Karate Union Hall of Fame – 1999 & 2000
• US Martial Arts Hall of Fame – 2018
• The United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame – Grandmaster of the Year – 2016, 2021
• The United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame – International Advisory Committee
• Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame – 2012 
• Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame – International Advisory Committee
• Korean Martial Arts Master’s Hall of Fame – 2019
• Master’s Hall of Fame – 2019
• Taekwondo Hall of Fame – 2020
• London International Hall of Fame – 2022
• International Martial Arts Hall of Fame – 2022
• Martial Arts Living Legends Dragon Image Award – Sport Karate Museum – 2012
• Martial Arts Legend Award – American Martial Arts of America – 2016, 2017,2018,2019
• Dragon Image Award – Sport Karate Museum – 2012, 2016
• The General Choi Hong Hi Award – Founder of Taekwondo – 2020 and the Taekwondo Hall of Fame – 2019
• Author of an International Martial Arts Tournament Management System -1998
• The American Hero Award for Firefighters and Law Enforcement by Sport Karate Museum – 2013
• Inducted as a History General to the Sport Karate Museum – 2018
• United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame, Grandmaster of the year – 2021.
• Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame Advisory Council – Member 2016
• United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame International Grandmasters Council Member 
• International Master Instructors License – International Taekwondo Federation Headquarters – 2019
• International Taekwondo Confederation – Executive Vice President 2020
• International Taekwondo Confederation – VP Promotions Committee 2020
• International Taekwondo Confederation – Founding Member 2020
• Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels – State of Kentucky – Governor Andy Beshear – 2021
• International Hall of Fame Martial Arts – Argentina – 2021
• Golden Global International Martial Arts Hall of Fame – 2021
• International Martial Arts Hall of Fame – 2021
• Taekwondo Pioneer General Choi Hong Hi Taekwondo Award – Outstanding Grandmaster – 2020
• World Taekwondo Organization Hall of Honors Inductee – Presented by and the highest-ranking black belt in the World. Pioneer of Taekwondo PGM Kong, Young Il -2023
• United World Taekwondo Association – National Advisory Board – 2023
• Action Martial Arts Hall of Honor – 2024
• International Sports Hall of Fame – 2024
• Golden Gate Hall of Honors – Platinum Pioneer 50 Years – 2024
• Meticulous Martial Arts Mastermind Hall of Fame – 2024 
• Action Martial Arts Magazine Hall of Honors – Golden Lifetime Achievements – 2025 National Sergent At Arms – Rogue 22 Motorcycle Club

Martial Art Organization and Board Positions

• Professor and Fellow of Martial Science – Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences -2020-2023
• National Board of Directors – United States Taekwondo Federation -1990 – 2012
• National Tournament Director – Untied States Taekwondo Federation – 1989 – 2012
• State Director – United States Taekwondo Union 1995-2000
• USA Taekwondo Mean’s Team Member – 1988-2000
• USA Taekwondo Women’s Team Coach 1997
• Universal Martial Arts Hall of Fame – International Advisory Committee
• American Martial Arts Association Hall of Fame- International Advisory Committee
• Executive Vice President – World Taekwondo Organization and United Taekwondo Nation
• Executive Vice President – International Taekwondo Confederation
• International Grandmasters Council – World Taekwondo Organization
• Founder of the International Taekwondo Confederation – International Military & Law Enforcement Tactical Defensive Systems
• Grandmaster Advisory Board – United World Taekwondo Association
• International Board Member – International Taekwondo Master’s Society  
• International Board Member – International Martial Arts Council of America
• Board Member Christian Martial Arts Council 
• International Advisory Board – United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Co-Founder and Executive Board Chairman – International Women of Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Ambassador – Meticulous Martial Arts Mastermind Hall of Fame
• National Board Member – National Sergent At Arms –- Rogue 22 Motorcycle Club National Advisory Board – United World Taekwondo Association

Movie Acting and Producing

• Executive Producer, Actor, Fight Choreographer – Warrior Island, The Last Ride, Bloodstorm, A Carmin Cogeneration – 2023. 
• Driver, assistant and bodyguard to Neil Simon and Mike Nichols in the Movie “Biloxi Blues”.
• Lead Male Actor role in a PAX television series “The Marz Project” as King Venuto. Casting by Hollywood Connection Casting Company Jim McCuen and Sonny Garber. 
• Actor in the Movie “Warrior Island” as “Smash” the Red Ninja Enforcer.  
• Actor, Executive Producer, Stunt Choreographer in the Movie “The Last Ride” – Canden.
• Actor and Producer in the Movie “Bloodstorm” – The Drug Kingpin.
• Actor and Producer in the Movie “A Carmine Cogeneration”.  
• Actor and Producer in the Movie “Possum Kingdom”.
• Actor/Extra in the TV Series “Falcon Crest”  
• Actor and Producer in the Movie “The Wicked of the Righteous”.
• Writer and Producer of the Movie “The Marzchins Project. 
• Actor – Charles McAllen in the Movie “Time of War!”

Lifetime Professional Positions 

• Division General Manager – Southern Painting Inc./Ellis Contracting Inc. – 2006-2011
• Branch Manager – Scott’s Miracle Gro Inc.- 2011-2013
• National Call Center Manager – Trugreen Inc.  2013-2014
• Vice President Sales and Marketing – Professional Black Belt Association Inc. – 2014-2016
• Professor and Fellow of Martial Science – Institute of Martial Arts and Sciences – 2018 -2021
• Regional Director/USA – West Coast University Panama – 2021-Present
• Industrial Sales Project Manager – Painters USA Inc. – 2016-2017
• General Contractor Manager- Senior Business Development Manager – PPG Paint Inc and Paintzen Inc. – 2017-2020
• Business Development Manager – Harrison Contracting Company Inc. – 2020-2023
• Vice President of Operations – Major League Football, LLC – 2024-2024
• National Director of Development – Worldwide Management Consulting – Professional Medical Management and Exit Strategy Company. – 2009-Present
• Executive Vice President – World Taekwondo Organization – 2022 – Present
• Executive Vice President – International Taekwondo Confederation – 2020-Present
• National Business Development Director – Stanford Team Consulting, LLC – Professional Consulting Company. 2010-Present
• Managing Member – ProTeam Contracting, LLC – Professional Paint Contracting Company – 2024-Present