Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of karate and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Adam Churchwell   (Owner, Master Instructor 5th Dan)  Mr. Churchwell earned his 1st Dan in August of 1992. Since then, he has aggressively trained in martial arts, testing to his current rank of 5th Dan. Over the last couple of years, he has added the training of several weapons to his list of accomplishments. Mr. Churchwell continually pushes himself, his instructors, and his students to give 100% in EVERYTHING they do. Not just in karate class, but in every day life. Having been a teacher in the public school system for 9 years, Mr. Churchwell has seen the need for, and the difference that martial arts training can make in the lives and attitudes of children. "The benefits of martial arts training are unmatched by any other sport. There is NO other sport that can come close to giving students what martial arts training can give them." Adam Churchwell,former elementary teacher, and Master Instructor.

Jennifer Churchwell  Jennifer is the wife of Adam, and mother of their three children, Noah (11), Nina (8), and Emma (5). She graduated from Columbus State University in August of 1996 with a degree in Middle grades education with an emphasis on Math and Science. After training on and off for 9 and 1/2 years, she finally tested for her black belt in October of 2002. Other than managing her personal household, she is also the Curriculum Administrator for the Real Kids Childrens Department at Cascade Hills Church. On the weekends, you will find both of the Churchwell's at Cascade Hills Church working in their children's ministry. Mr. Churchwell is the worship leader, and Mrs. Churchwell helps manage the children's services. Cascade Hills serves nearly 400 children in K-5th grade each weekend. (www.cascadehills.com)

Brian Hatcher   (Instructor, 3rd Dan)  Brian began his training with us in January of 1997. Since beginning his martial arts journey, Brian has impressively passed each testing, including that of 1st Dan Blackbelt. He tested for his 2nd Dan in July of 2002. Brian won many titles as an underbelt competitor. The most prestigious being the 2000 N.A.S.K.A.( North American Sport Karate Association) Champion in Weapons and Open Forms for the 16-17 year old underbelt divisions. Since becoming a blackbelt, Brian has added several acomplishments to his list. In 2001, he was ranked 3rd in Open Forms, and 4th in traditional forms for the mens Blackbelt division with the S.K.L(Sport Karate League). Brian passed his instructor certification test and received his instructor rank on Friday, November 22, 2002. He has been an instructor at Premier Martial Arts for over 5 years. In his spare time, he enjoys paintball and spending time with his wife Tiffany.

Jeni McCullough   (General Manager)  Jeni moved to Columbus in 1994 from Colorado Springs, Colorado. She is married and has 2 boys who keep her very busy, Tyler (14) and Nikolas (3). September 2009 was her 5 year anniversary with PMA. She is currently enrolled at CSU pursuing a degree in business management.

Jessica Hudson   (Front Desk assistant) Jessica has been been with Premier for more than five years. She started in the after school program and in April 2007 she took over as our front desk manager. In here spare time you may find her shopping, playing tennis or vacationing in the moutains or at the beach. She enjoys watching football and cheering Alabama to another victory. Her favorite saying is “Its true you never know what the future holds, but if you live your life for what you could be you will only end up missing out on all the fun that can be had in the here and now. I live my life not in the past thinking about what was, not in the future thinking about what could be, but in the present enjoying every second of this crazy thing called life.”

Von Jenkins  (Instructor) Mr. Jenkins started taking martial arts at the age of 18. Now at the age of 24 he is excited and grateful to be able to teach martial arts for a living. He tries to balance his roll as teacher and student by being an active member of the PMA demo team. In addition to teaching the regular PMA curriculum, Mr. Jenkins formed the trick-kicks class for students who want to challenge themselves even more. (This class is by invitation only, talk to Mr. Jenkins if you have question on requirements or if you are interested.) Mr. Jenkins' passion for the martial arts is surpassed only by his love for God and his family, Amanda his wife and his two beautiful children.

Charlton Martin  (Instructor) Charlton started taking classes here at Premier as a freshman in high school and martial arts soon became his passion. He worked the summer of 2006 in the Summer Camp program and assisted in teaching the youth classes. On September 26, 2007, he earned his 1st degree Black Belt. He continued to assist in teaching classes and is now a full time instructor as well as a member of the Premier Demo Team. Charlton graduated from Smith Station High School in 2008.

Zach Howard Zachary has been going to Premier for four and a half years. He earned his 1st degree Black Belt on June 23, 2007 and about a year ago he started as an assistant instructor. He is looking forward to testing for his 2nd degree in June 2009. "I love working with all the students and hope that we've made a positive impact on them through Premier."

For more information about the Premier Martial Arts - Columbus staff or training programs, please contact us at 706-320-3505 or by clicking here.