Meet The Team
Our Instructors
Senior Grandmaster
Steve Nugent
Steve Nugent is a 4 Time Heavyweight World Champion with 55 years of experience. He is currently the President of the International Kenpo Council of Grand Masters. SGM Nugent believes in the “Old School” teaching methods of Traditional Martial Arts and believes Kenpo offers something for everyone. Over the last few decades he has created a unique and specifically designed program for children that is proven to be successful and offers children a chance to learn discipline, gain confidence, excel in school and all while having fun. While SGM Steve is busy traveling all over North America teaching in Seminars, promoting School owners to higher levels of Black, he always finds time for every student from 3 years old to 103 years old. With 12 locations It takes a Team effort and SGM Steve says “I believe I have the best staff of Instructors in the World. I’m still extremely hard on each one of them to get the very best out of each one of them. They understand this, and would expect nothing less from me.” The reward for all of us is seeing students strive to achieve goals and then attaining those goals.
Grand Master
Cecil Andrews
Grand Master Cecil Andrews is a former Top competitor in the early days of the legendary KRANE tournament circuit. He has competed against the best the world had in the early 1980’s. He was the former training partner of SGM Steve Nugent. As SGM Nugent said: “My Instructors taught me a lot but nothing can replace getting in the trenches with your training partner and pushing each other. I wouldn’t be where I am without GM Cecil." Today, GM Cecil still teaches. He teaches Adults only and does not waiver from the exact way “old school” Martial Arts should be taught. He is truly the Teacher of Teachers.
Grand Master
Mike Bove
Grand Master Mike is a 9th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo and a 1st Degree Back Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Grand Master Mike has been with SGM Nugent since 1980. He has owned his own Karate School and brings obvious experience to all that study under him. As SGM Nugent said: “I’m lucky to have him. When I’m not there and GM Mike is teaching, it’s like I am there.”
Lead Instructor
Cheryl Campo
Like Senior Grand Master Steve Nugent, Sensei Cheryl was mainstay on the Tournament circuit and won multiple tournaments and was considered one of the top competitors in all of North America, specializing in weapons forms. She currently is the Chief Instructor of the Wellesley location. Her classes are in high demand because of her highly talented ability to run classes that are welcoming to All students. Many of her students have actually come from other Schools where a child may not have felt comfortable. Sensei Cheryl has wonderful way of making each child feel welcome and comfortable. Recently she has branched out into Women’s Power Lifting! Within 2 years she has become a Professional power lifter and is currently ranked 5th in the World!
Lead Instructor
Rich Quinn
Sensei Rich has 30 years experience and is currently the Lead Instructor in 4 SNKI locations. Sensei Rich cultivates a strict and structured dojo setting where each child can learn at their own pace. His classes emulate real life, in that each student understands they must work hard and get their lessons learned before they can have 4 or 5 minutes of some “Fun Time” Sensei Rich likes to drive home getting homework done first, before playtime. Thousands of his students have grown up and gone on to be very successful in their own lives. Many which still drop by to say Thanks and credit Sensei Rich for his guidance, tough love and always getting them to strive.
Sensei
Julie Corbo
Sensei Julie - A kid’s favorite! Sensei Julie is an accomplished scientist who brings a wonderful mix of empathy, compassion, nurturing and excitement to all of her classes! Sensei Julie also talks about the importance of Civil involvement. She puts together Events for the kids to organize and participate in, such as food bank drives, Veteran appreciation work and other local and charitable Events.
Sensei
Sheilajane Cincotta
Sensei Sheila is a Doctor of Nursing and brings a dynamic, detailed and organized easy way for kids and adults to learn. Her teaching methods are methodical and every student that works with her receives a better and deeper understanding of techniques. Sensei Sheila was a Top Ranked NASKA competitor in 2018-2019
Sensei
Marge Shinkle
Sensei Marge is a computer engineer who started with SGM in 1997 and achieved the rank of Black Belt 26 years later in 2023. Her journey to Black was one of perseverance and dedication. She brings her story to each student she teaches. She leads by example and reminds each student to NEVER give up! She believes Martial Arts can empower not just women but all students.
Sensei
Maggie Papia
Sensei Maggie is an elementary school teacher who obviously brings a Teacher’s approach to the dojo. Although Sensei Maggie will tell you her Martial Arts teaching came before her academic teaching and credits teaching Kenpo with helping to make her classroom teaching easier. A huge favorite of the kids and parents alike, Sensei Maggie teams up with Sensei Mollie each Summer to run the Karate Summer Camp.
Sensei
Angelo Papia
Like his daughter Maggie, Sensei Angelo is a teacher of Engineering. Like you would imagine, as an engineer, Sensei Angelo brings an unmatched level of detail to every technique, movement, form and Interpretation of Martial Arts. Students who train with Sensei Angelo are amazed how much they learn about techniques that they may have already been taught. He is a strong believer in not just the “How” but the “Why”. Students need to know why something is done, not just how to do something.
Sensei
Roman Verdet
Sensei Roman has been training in Martial Arts most of his life. He started in France, then Montreal, Canada and now for the last 8 years with SGM Steve Nugent. Sensei Roman is a firm believer in hard training and still workouts every week in the dojo. He has a great teaching style and is a Kata specialist. He continues to teach not only the techniques but the history and the lineage of Kenpo.
Sensei
Laurie Glasser
Sensei Laurie is one of the first women to ever attain the level of Black Belt from SGM Steve Nugent. She has over 30 years of experience and still teaches and works out every week. She is a 7th Degree Black Belt and former NASKA and Krane competitor. Sensei Laurie also trained directly under SGM George Pesare while GM Steve Nugent was studying under the founder of Kenpo in New England
Sensei
Will Donovan
Dr. Will Donovan, MD, NRP, I/C has over 24 years of Kenpo experience and over 20 years of assistant instructing and lead instructing. He believes in a traditional approach to the marital arts that combine the mind, body, and spirit into one functional unit. He encourages his students to achieve both martial arts and academic excellence. Outside of the dojo, he attended MCPHS University and St. George's University School of Medicine.
Sensei
Mollie Lytje
Sensei Mollie started at the age of 4 years old with SGM Nugent and is currently a student at Bryant University. In addition to her Martial Arts abilities, she is an accomplished member of the Division 1 Bryant Crew Team. Mollie’s training and athleticism is an inspiration for other younger girls in the dojo’s. Sensei Mollie always leads by example and will remind students that everything takes hard work. She also heads up the annual Karate Camp which is the highlight of the year for all students. The Camp takes place in August and by January the Camp is always full.