Regional Director

Born in 1950, Van Bushnell’s interest in martial arts was sparked while serving his country in Viet Nam during the 60s. In the 70s he received his TaeKwonDo black belt and teaching certificate in New Orleans from Master Yang Moon, The World TaeKwonDo Federation and the Cha Yon Ryu. After relocating to Alabama, Mr. Bushnell opened Bluff Park TaeKwonDo in 1982 teaching the Cha Yon Ryu style. This program included the study of TaeKwonDo and Hapkido.

Mr. Bushnell began his Japanese Karate, Aikido, Judo and Iaido training in the 80s under the direction of Hanshi Roger A. Jarrett. He received his 8th Degree Black Belt from Hanshi Jarrett’s Chong Shin Kwan TaeKwonDo/Karate Organization in 2014.

In 1993, Mr. Bushnell was granted instructor certification and licensed to teach Aikido in the state of Alabama by Hanshi Jarrett and Shihan Fumio Toyoda under the  Aikido Association of America. After Shihan Toyoda’s death in 2001, Mr. Bushnell was granted teaching certification from Hanshi Kevin Blok, Chudokai Aikido Federation International. He is 6th Degree Black Belt in Aikido.

Mr. Bushnell also holds 5th Degree Black Belts in Judo/Jujitsu and Iaido.

Mr. Bushnell is the Southeast Regional Director and Vice President of the USA Martial Arts Federation. He and his wife, Pam, celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in April 2017. They are blessed with 2 children and 4 grandchildren.