I am a Yodan (fourth-degree black belt) Rank and Head Instructor at American Jiu-Jitsu St James and have been training with O’Sensei Joe Puleio for over 25 years. I started training in the Juniors Program at the age of eight and progressed throughout the ranks and into the Teen and Seniors (adult) programs, completing AJJ’s Instructor Certification at the age of seventeen. Jiu Jitsu has helped shape my personality, character, self-esteem and success - in both my professional and personal life. Over the years I have run successful pilot programs at multiple Gold’s Gym locations, New York Institute of Technology and after-school programs for Smithtown, Commack and Half Hollow schools. I currently teach Junior and Senior classes every Saturday in the St. James Dojo and teaching is one of the most enjoyable things that I look forward to every week.

I hold a degree in Advertising from New York Institute of Technology which I attended on a partial scholarship rewarded partly for my Jiu-Jitsu training. I am currently the Advertising Director for three successful online technology retailers and founder/owner of a growing e-commerce company - RemoteShoppe.com.

I am also an active member of the Three Village community where I live with my beautiful wife and two sons. My oldest son, Tyler, has just started taking classes in the American Jiu Jitsu 4-year old program and has already shown a natural love for the art.

Yodan 4th Degree Black Belt

American Jiu Jitsu

American Jiu Jitsu Bushido Award, Head Instructor - St. James