Meet the Instructors
The gold standard of Kenpo Karate. This is the legacy that Senior Master of the Arts, Richard 'Huk' Planas has left for us all. Meet some of the highest ranking and most talented black belt instructors of the Parker-Planas lineage.
Mr. Marty Zaninovich, Mr. Chuck Epperson, Mr. Scott Halsey, Mr. Bruce Epperson, Mr. Al Myrtle, Mr. J.R. Diaz, Mr. Joe Doyle, and Mr. Max Bychkov will be teaching the 'hows and whys' of Kenpo Karate, keeping The Flame burning for all eternity!
Our first ever Legacy Seminar will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 8th-9th 2025, at Grass Valley Kenpo Family Karate in Grass Valley, California. Start time at 10:00 am. The cost for all seminars is $150. Spectators are free. All martial artists attending are considered participants! Check out our Facebook event for more info.
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Marty Zaninovich
Sifu Zaninovich's passion for the arts lies in each systems depth and possibility for continual learning, transference of knowledge and daily training. But moreover, he shares his passion with others by leading them and instructing the Kenpo System in a spirited, energized way while blending in cutting-edge Filipino martial arts and other arts to enhance the mind/body/spirit experience. The focus is always on supporting the development of the student’s whole being, whether instructing privately or in a group. Noted for his intensity and technical skills by fellow top-level instructors, Sifu Zaninovich throughout his tenure has provided instruction, body guarding, public speaking, and mentoring to a variety of martial artists and non-martial artists including: law enforcement personnel, grade school to university students & athletes, and business professionals, as well as children and adolescents. Marty's martial arts beginning was in the exploration of wrestling and Judo at the age of 13, but his passion for and commitment to the arts ignited shortly after when he enrolled in a small Kenpo Karate dojo in central California, earning his 1st Degree Black Belt under Mr. Steve LaBounty and Mr. David Jimenez. From that point forward he went on to study with Mr. Richard “Huk” Planas, Guro Ed Planas, Guro Dan Inosanto, GM Nene Gaabucayan. Marty was also influenced by participating in several seminars conducted by Mr. Parker throughout the years. Sifu Zaninovich has competed nationally and internationally; sponsored several prestigious tournaments and events, owned several karate schools in California, and established various clubs in Arizona. He also travels throughout the United States and internationally to share the Arts. Today, he currently holds a 10th degree black belt in Ed Parker’s Kenpo Karate under Mr. Richard “Huk” Planas & The Parker/Planas Lineage. Also, he’s a Certified Instructor in the Filipino Martial Arts, Jun Fan Gung Fu/JKD and Silat, under Guro Dan Inosanto and training Balintawak with GM Nene Gaabucayan.
Chuck Epperson
Chuck Epperson began his martial arts training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo in the late 1970′s under the Parker-Planas lineage in Chico, CA. He is a long-time first generation student of Senior Master of the Arts, Richard "Huk" Planas whom introduced him to the art of Kali in the 1980's. From there he went on to train with Grand Master Anthony Kleeman in the art of Cacoy Canete's Doce Pares Eskrima in the 1990's. Mr. Epperson holds blackbelts in Eskrima, Eskrido, and Pangamont. He has been teaching martial arts since 1979, and opened his own dojo in 1984. He still teaches 10 or more classes a day, 6 days a week. He has also been very successful in sport karate competition, winning championships and grand championships in Kata, Weapons, Self Defense and fighting divisions. In June 2007 Mr. Epperson was inducted into the prestigious U.S.A. Martial Arts Hall Of Fame in Los Angeles, CA. as Senior Professor of the year in American Kenpo Karate. He holds this honor as a major highlight of his Kenpo martial arts career.
Bruce Epperson
Bruce Epperson started training in western boxing directly under his brother Chuck at a very young age, and in 1979 he started his training in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate. He trains under his brother Chuck and still does to this day. He has also been very successfull in martial arts competition, winning many championships and grand championships. He is also trained in Danzan-ryū, juto and jujitzu systems, directly under Sensei Todd Birdseye for many years. He was accepted as a direct student under Senior Master of the Art, Richard "Huk" Planas. Mr. Epperson was promoted to his ninth degree black baelt from Mr. Planas in 2022. He still teaches at Epperson Brothers Karate Dojo in Chico with brother Chuck Epperson, Nanette Epperson, and Kai Epperson.
J.R. Diaz
Sifu Jr. Diaz began studying American Kenpo in 1979 and he received his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1988 under Mr. David Perez. Sifu Diaz almost immediately opened his first school in Lemoore, CA (Lemoore Kenpo Karate) and has been teaching Kenpo ever since. Sifu Diaz has had a number of schools, but has always remained close to his family in the central San Joaquin Valley, where he currently teaches Kenpo at his school in Sanger, CA, (Double Dragon Kenpo Karate). His love of the art and his innate ability to teach have served him and his students very well. Currently, Mr. Diaz is a 9th Degree Black Belt in the art of Kenpo Karate under Mr. Huk Planas. He truly embodies professionalism in his teachings. He is an extremely talented and qualified teacher who emphasizes traits of disciple and honor and excels in his loyalty to the art that he passes on in every class and every student.
Al Myrtle
Alan Myrtle hails from Northern California and has run Northwest Martial Arts Center in Anderson, CA for the last 25 years. Mr Myrtle received his 1st Degree Black Belt from S.G.M. Ed Parker in 1978 at the Pasadena dojo, along with his good friends, the Flores brothers. He opened his first dojo in Redding, CA in 1976. S.G.M. Parker introduced Mr. Myrtle to Mr. Planas in 1979, and told him "Al, you need to train with Huk, he will help you be the best you can be in Kenpo." Mr. Myrtle received his 3rd Degree from Mr. Parker in 1983. A short time later Mr. Myrtle started his training with Sifu Planas, and has since received his 9th Degree 2022. Mr. Myrtle is a proud wearer of the "Huk Patch", which he earned in 1993, and always tries to maintain the standard that it represents. He has extensive karate competition experience both as a competitor and a coach for over 53 years. He has competed in over 50 tournaments from Seattle, WA to San Diego, CA and was rated in Karate Illustrated Magazine and Kung Fu Magazine. Mr. Myrtle has also trained some of the top karate competitors in Northern California in both sport and full contact karate (P.K.A.). In 1982 he created the Redding Kenpo Karate Demonstration Team that performed at numerous venues such as Steve LaBounty's California State Karate Championships and Ed Parker's 1983 International Karate Championships. Mr. Myrtle's focus is on fight enders using power and speed with proper kenpo technique. Developing your natural weapons to be effective in a self-defense situation. Mr. Myrtle also has had training in Kajukenbo, Judo/Jujitsu, Eskrima, and fencing, but "my love will always be the art and science of Kenpo".
Scott Halsey
Scott Halsey has been training in Kenpo Karate for over 43 years and has operated a successful school since 1986. Mr. Halsey tested for his black belt in front of Mr. Parker at the age of 16, and has since been promoted to 9th degree black belt by his instructor Senior Master Richard "Huk" Planas. Mr. Halsey has also competed in and won numerous tournaments all over the country including placing first in fighting and forms at Ed Parker's Long Beach Internationals in the 8O's and 90's. Mr. Halsey has also won Kata Grand Champion at the Boston Internationals in 2003 and 2018, the Long Beach Internationals in 2004 and the Las Vegas Internationals in 2010. He has placed first in fighting at the Long Beach Internationals in 2004 and the Las Vegas Internationals in 2010. Also, Mr. Halsey placed second in forms and first in fighting at the 2016 USKA nationals. Mr. Halsey teaches the art of Kenpo Karate every day at his dojo in Redding, California.
Joe Doyle
Mr. Doyle is a 9th degree Black Belt with over 40 yrs of martial arts experience. He began his training in the Tracy’s Chinese Kenpo system and owned a Tracy’s Franchise. After consulting with Grand Master Ed Parker, Mr. Doyle converted to the Parker American Kenpo Karate System in 1987. He was promoted to his 3rd Degree Black Belt by Mr. Parker. After Mr. Parker’s passing, he continued his training with the WKKA under Mr. Palanzo and Mr. Richard “Huk” Planas. He was promoted to his 4th Black by Mr. Palanzo and the WKKA. Mr. Doyle became a direct student of Mr. Planas in 1992 and was promoted to his 9th Black Belt in 2024. He has owned and operated his schools in Mentor, Ohio since 1985. Mr. Doyle has cross trained in Hapkido, Tai Chi, Isshin Ryu, and Pangasinan Kali. He worked as an instructor for security guards and police officers and is a veteran in local, state, and national karate tournaments. He is a tournament promoter and for many years ran one of the largest tournaments in the state of Ohio. He has taught thousands of students in the local area and successfully continues his teaching of the Parker/Planas Lineage of Kenpo Karate at his Academies.
Max Bychkov
Max Bychkov began his Kenpo training after moving to the United States in the early 1990's. To satisfy his curiosity about martial arts, he trained in and with various arts and artists in the area. Always intrugued about the Kenpo system and the way it was laid out, on the recommendation of Senior Master of the Arts, Frank Trejo, he traveled extensively throughout the '90s and '00s to obtain instruction directly from the foremost authority in the Art, Senior Master Richard "Huk" Planas. As a result of years of hard work, he was awarded “The Patch” on January 19, 2008, establishing him as a direct first-generation student of Mr. Planas. Concurrently, his black belt ranks were directly awarded from Mr. Planas as well, the highest being the rank of Associate Master, 8th degree, at Grass Valley Kenpo Family Karate in November of 2024. He also had the honor of being one of the instructors at the Las Vegas Planas Kenpo Camp. Always seeking new insights into the Art, Max enjoys traveling to meet, train with, and teach new people all around the world. He conducts weekly classes locally as well, working with anyone interested in furthering their skill and knowledge in the Art of Kenpo Karate.