Our Instructors
Bill Hough Founder - Mankato Martial Arts, Founding Member - Pro-Star Martial Arts
Mr. Bill Hough, currently a Black Belt, started his martial arts training while in the US Army. As a Sergeant in the Infantry, Bill taught hand-to-hand self-defense, and graduated from the Army’s Master Fitness program. During his 10 years of active duty, Bill also received a BA in business management through the Army Continuing Education program (ACE). Mr. Hough started training in Tae Kwon Do in 1996, and opened his own school in 2004. In 2007, Mr. Hough became one of the founding members of Pro Star Martial Arts, and works closely with John Graden and Joe Brignoli in developing and refining the curriculum used at Mankato Martial Arts to ensure the very best and up-to-date training available.
Sam Murray - Instructor, Self Defense Specialist
Mr. Murray is a First Degree Black Belt and a certified instructor in Tae Kwon Do Chang Hun Style. He earned his Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Rochester Community College, his Bachelor of Science Degrees in Corrections, Law Enforcement, and Sociology, and Masters of Science Degree in Human Services: Planning and Administration in Sociology from Minnesota State University – Mankato. Since 1988, Sam has been working at the Minnesota Security Hospital Forensic Division, as a Security Counselor/Lead. He currently is a Certified State Instructor in orientating new staff in Security Procedures and Duties.
Jon Karau - Instructor
Mr. Karau has been training in Tae Kwon Do for 15 years, starting under the direction of Master Glenn Morgan and Mr. Jon Sloan in the Lake Crystal branch club of Midwest Academy of Tae Kwon Do. He earned his Black Belt during the summer of 1998, with First Degree being awarded in 2005. Jon has studied martial arts history since 1997, learning origins and style differences between martial arts, spanning 4 continents and over six thousand years. Mr. Karau was awarded his instructor certification from World Wide Martial Arts Federation in May 2005, and currently working towards his certification with the American Council on Martial Arts.
Jason Eisele - Chief Instructor St. Peter Martial Arts
Mr. Eisele is a 12-year veteran of the US Navy and US Army Reserve and started his martial arts training during the Gulf War. He has worked as a youth supervisor at a treatment facility in Wisconsin for children with problem behaviors and gang related youth. He also has extensive experience working with youth with ADD, ADHD, and other learning disabilities. Mr. Eisele has been an assistant instructor at American Academy of Tae Kwon Do for the past 3 years and an instructor at Mankato Martial Arts for the past 2 years. Jason has been married for 16 years and has three children.
Joshua Hough - Instructor
Joshua Hough started training in Tae Kwon Do at age 5 and has earned the rank of 1st dan. In the past 11 years, Joshua has established himself as an aggressive competitor, holding state titles in Point Sparring, Sword Sparring, and Forms.