After seeing Bruce Lee 2 of my friends and I decided that we wanted to "DO THAT STUFF" so we went to the local Karate school and enrolled.
I started my training in 1973 in Pompton Lakes NJ at Porta's Karate. It was Goshin Ryu Karate and very old school but we loved it. After graduating high school I went to Rider University to study business and joined the Tang Soo Do club and got my first taste of Korean Martial Arts and LOVED IT.
After graduating College I found Grand Master Byung Min Kim in Nanuet NY and he has changed my life. He is my TKD Father and mentor.
I am grateful that he has giving me the ability to do something for a living that makes a positive difference in peoples live daily.
In July 2008 UMAC brought over 100 students to the 2nd Annual TKD Festival. At this festival 7 UMAC Masters were tested by Grand Master Kim for high Dan Ranking. Paul Melella 6th Dan, Chris Berlow 6th Dan, Teresa Ciarfella 5th Dan, Joe Badini 5th Dan, Joe Preira 5th Dan and Anthony Melella 5th Dan. I was tested to 7th dan and Grand Master. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I am very fortunate to have been able to test with my wife and my best friends