Chito-Ryu Association of Ontario (CRAO) Board of Directors

The CRAO is comprised of a membership-elected Board of Directors and operates under the guidance of the Chito-Ryu Saiko Shihan Council and the CRAO Technical Committee.  The CRAO Board also works closely with all provincial Kyoshi, Renshi and Shihan instructors to support Chito-Ryu in all matters.

 

CRAO Executive Members

Robert Williams (3rd Dan) – PRESIDENT

Robert (Bob) Williams has now taken on the role of President (effective June 4, 2023).  Bob is affiliated with the Honbu dojo (Higashi School of Karate) and can be found there if needed, always working hard to better the style for all its members.

 

Deborah Brooks (Shihan, 4th Dan) – VICE PRESIDENT

Head Instructor of the Burlington Chito-Ryu Karate Club and a member of the CRAO Technical Committee; Sensei Brooks is an NKA Masters Kumite gold medalist and former Chito Ryu World Masters Kumite Champion; she is also an excellent NCCP certified Karate Coach.  Sensei Brooks has a Masters of Education degree, and is an elementary school teacher for the Halton Region District School Board; she was selected as “Educator of the Year” in 2017.  Sensei Brooks is a firm supporter of the development of women within Chito-Ryu karate and is an exemplary example to all Chito-Ryu members.

 

 

 

 

Richard Hesch (Shidoin, 4th Dan) – VICE PRESIDENT

Sensei Richard Hesch holds the rank of 4th Dan and the teaching licence of Shidoin. Sensei Hesch is an NCCP certified coach with his Level 1 Theory and Level 1 Practical. Sensei Hesch has been head instructor for the New Hamburg Karate Club since 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Moran (Shidoin, 4th Dan) – TREASURER

Training in Chito-Ryu karate for over 40 years; Sensei Moran has competed in a total of five Soke Cups and was a member of the Canadian Men’s Kumite Team winning Gold in Australia in 2004.  Sensei Moran is actively training on a weekly basis and teaches both adult and Saturday morning kids classes.  Sensei Moran is also NCCP certified and works with students interested in competing for Karate Ontario and Chito-Ryu tournaments. Sensei Moran is an Avionics Specialist working in aircraft parts, supporting, and servicing the aerospace industry worldwide.

 

 

Siavash Samei (1st Dan) – SECRETARY

No stranger to Chito-Ryu, Siavash is a dedicated karate-ka, who has trained all over Canada, with some of our top instructors and members. Currently residing in the GTA, Siavash joins the CRAO Executive Board as our current Secretary.

 

CRAO Directors At Large

 

Harvey Brown (Renshi, 6th Dan) – OTTAWA

Sensei Harvey Brown is a member of the CRAO Technical Committee and has supported Chito-Ryu in Ontario, Canada, and internationally since 1980, when he joined the Chito-Ryu organization in Canada (led by Higashi Sensei.) Brown Sensei is the head instructor for the Ottawa Chito Kai Karate School Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Golka (Jun Shidoin, 3rd Dan) – PICKERING

Peter Melanson (3rd Dan) – BURLINGTON

 

Ryan Manzie (1st Dan) – RICHMOND HILL

 

 

CRAO Past Presidents:

  • Paul Arsenault (2019 to 2023)

  • Martin Sisler (2017 to 2019)

  • Paul Arsenault (2008 to 2017)

  • Norm Gillies (1997 to 2008)