MVKC Instructors

Sensei Doug Armstrong
Sensei Doug Armstrong is a 6th dan black belt and is the owner and operator of The Mountain View Karate Center. Doug Armstrong began his martial arts training in 1981 within the art of Tae Kwon Do. After joining the United States Navy he continued his studies at the Okinawan Kempo Karate Dojo and then eventually trained at a Shaolin Go-Ju Dojo where he earned his first black belt. Sensei Armstrong began teaching in Hickory in 1992 and finally opened his own martial arts school in 1995. In 2000, he earned the title of black belt fighting competitor of the year and became the world champion in the blackbelt breaking division!

In July of 2004 Sensei Doug Armstrong was inducted into the Sport Karate Hall of Fame. In December of 2006 he was awarded the rank of 6th dan by his instructor and mentor Hanshi Dean Bottomley. This rank confers upon him the title of "Shihan" Doug Armstrong.

Mr. Anthony Stafford
Mr. Anthony Stafford is a 4th Dan black belt and an instructor at the Foothills Dojo. He has 15 years law enforcement experience and is currently a Detective. He is also a specialized instructor for law enforcement in the area of Subject Control and Arrest Techniques. He is a member of the Catawba County S.T.A.R. Team (SWAT). SKA Certified Official.




Mr. Rick Donkel Se Hablo Español
Mr. Donkel is a 3rd Dan black belt instructor at the Foothills Dojo. He is retired from the
US Army and brings to the Dojo 20 plus years experience as a Military Policeman and
trainer of soldiers. He has over 30 years of Law Enforcement experience and is a
certified officer. Mr. Donkel attended the World Games in 2007, representing Team
MVKC winning 1st Place and awarded the World Title by Sport Karate International, Champion in adult under belt breaking. He is bilingual and speaks Spanish to assist
our Hispanic students and parents as needed.

Miss Chasity Ellis
Miss Ellis is a 4th dan black belt of Ching Sai Do. She is both an accomplished competitor and instructor whom has been teaching karate students for MVKC since 1999. Chasity has a BS in Education majoring in middle grades Math & Science from WCU. She is teaching 7th grade Science and Math at RiverBend Middle School.

Mr. Jerry Duncan
Jerry Duncan is a 4th dan black belt of Ching Sai Do and one of the instructors at MVKC. Jerry is also a two time NBL Breaking World Champion and an SKIL Breaking World Champion.

Ms. Lauren Ferguson
Lauren is a 10 time World Champion and will be teaching our Tuesday/Thursday classes. She is also one of our Team Elite Coaches for 2012.

Mr. Anthony Donkel
Anthony Donkel is a 3rd dan Black Belt. He has been assisting with the kids classes at our Foothills Dojo. He first began martial arts when he was six in Shotokan style of Martial Arts in Panama. He was Competitor of the Year and East Coast Champion two years running with the DOJO Organization in 2006 & 2007 in Traditional Kata. He attended the World Games in 2007 and placed 6th in Japanese Traditional Forms and 8th in Traditional Weapons with the bo staff. We wish Mr. Donkel the best as he continues his family's tradition by serving in the US Army. He will be shipping out in June of 2011 for his training. Upon completion in November he will be returning to attending Appalachian State the Spring Semester. Upon graduation at ASU he will be a commissioned officer.




Assistant Instructors:


Dan Cassell
Trent Temple