Pro Karate Center's Certified Instructors
Pro Karate Center's Black Belt instructors have
over 100 years martial arts experience.
Sensei Dean Lavas, Yon Dan
Sensei Dean Lavas started his Martial Arts training in 1975. He trained in American Combat under Sensei Richy Barathy in Lynbrook, New York. Sensei Dean started his Isshinryu training under Sensei John Ingram in mid 1990's. Sensei Dean traveled to Okinawa in 1999 with Master Harold Mitchum. During his Isshinryu training he learned that the Martial Arts should instill more than just self-defense in it's students, it should build strong character and strong minds.
Sensei Dean was the 1997 & 1998 Florida State Champion in Kata and Sparring. He competed on a National level in 2000.
Sensei Lavas is a certified agent with the kids safety network and does many presentations on stranger awareness in the bay area.
Gary Repetti, Roku Dan
Sensei Gary Repetti is a retired police officer who moved from Long Island to Florida in the mid 1980's when he began training with Sensei's John and Cindy Ingram. He earned his Sho-Dan in 1989.
Since the early 1990's Sensei Repetti has also trained with Master Harold Mitchum and traveled with him to Okinawa in 1999.
He is presently a staff member at Pro Karate Center in Palm Harbor, Florida and holds the rank of
Roku-Dan (6th degree).
Nathan McKnight, San Dan
Sensei Nathan McKnight has been training in the martial arts for over 15 years. He is a Florida State Champion. In 2004 he received the UIKA Isshinryu spirit award.
Sensei McKnight is presently the chief instructor at Pro Karate Center.
He is also the head coach of the Pro Karate Center's tournament team.
Desiree McKnight, Ni Dan
Sensei Desiree McKnight graduated from the University of Florida and is a Registered Nurse. Sensei Desiree has be training in the martial arts for 13 years. She is a 5 Time National Champion and was the Florida State Champion in 1997,1998, 1999 and 2000. Desiree competed on the USA National Team in Hungry and Spain. She was on the USA Team that won the World Championships in Spain.
She is a full time instructor at Pro Karate Center and is one of the head
coach's of the tournament team. She currently working as a pediatric nurse.
Justin Lane, Ni Dan
Sensei Justin Lane has been training in the martial arts for over 8 years. Sensei Justin is a certified instructor at Pro Karate Center. He is a coach and member of the 2007 tournament team.
Tom Read, San Dan
Sensei Tom Read has been training in ISSHINRYU karate for 11 years. He is a certified instructor at Pro Karate Center. He is currently a student at St. Pete College. He is a coach and a member of the 2007 tournament team.
