Stephen D. Kelley - Executive Director
skelley@kick-start.org
Ed
Saenz - Director of Operations
esaenz@kick-start.org
Mr. Saenz is responsible for instructors,
school operations and program development. He brings the
strongest of backgrounds to this challenging position.
An 8th Degree Black Belt and Student of Mr. Norris since
1967, Mr. Saenz has spent his entire professional life in
the martial arts and fitness business. His vast
experience at dealing with the unique needs of the KICKSTART
students, instructors, school administrators, parents and
staff has proven essential in the much heralded success of
KICKSTART. Mr. Saenz ability to translate the vision of
KICKSTART into real terms as proven by the success of
the program goes beyond skill. He is a true example of the
tenets of the martial arts and the commitment of those
involved with KICKSTART.
John Kurek - Houston Area Team Leader
jkurek@kick-start.org
John Kurek
has trained in the Martial Arts for 28 years, and has been a
Black Belt in Chun Kuk Do since 1981. He has been teaching
for 15 years. For the past two years he has supervised the
instructors in Houston. John works for KICKSTART
because, as he puts it: “There are very few chances to be
able to change a kid’s life. With KICKSTART, I have
been able to do that, and do what I love to do
(Martial arts). KICKSTART helps kids stay on the
straight and narrow and be able to become productive
citizens of our country.”
Linda Case - Director of Community & School Relations
lcase@kick-start.org
Linda Case has shared her professional
passion of promoting healthy lifestyles for all youth since
1990. As a mother of three and a wife she became a
first grade public school teacher and then a physical
educator, serving in that capacity for a dozen years. Her
enthusiasm and commitment to teach and reflect also created
an opportunity to provide administrative assistance in her
church as the coordinator of the Family Life Center.
In 2002 she left public
school teaching, joining the American Heart Association as a
Youth Market Director. In her first year she led the Texas
market by raising the most funds for the state of Texas. Her
experience working with children, parents, teachers,
principals, school boards and the general public are
ingredients that compliment the great team already
established here at Kick Start.
Connie Catalani - Administrative Assistant
ccatalani@kick-start.org
Connie joined the organization in 2001 as an
Administrative Assistant
for
KICKSTART,
which gives her the opportunity to work closely with
the instructors in different aspects of their
mentoring, from ordering uniforms for their students
to coordinating their weekly reports. Connie says,
"it has been a great learning experience for me that
I have truly enjoyed, and it has given me a
wonderful understanding of how
KICKSTART affects the children in our school
programs." Connie also assists all the staff in the
three offices in the day to day running of the
organization.
Robert Sapp - Dallas Area Team Leader
rsapp@kick-start.org
Robert Sapp has trained in the Martial Arts for 23 years,
and has been a Black Belt in Chun Kuk Do since 1983. He has
been teaching for 21 years. For the past seven years he has
supervised the instructors in Dallas. Robert’s philosophy:
“I decided to be a part of the KICKSTART foundation
to help educate communities in self-control for a better
life. Now, I believe we are able to educate the country in
self-confidence for a better world.”
Karla LeClere - Director of Community & School Relations
kleclere@kick-start.org
Karla
has a Bachelor of Science in Human Relations and Business as
well as an Associate in Applied Science in Computer
programming. Since starting in 2004, she has worked hard to
educate everyone on the vision of KICKSTART. When not
working, Karla is volunteering her time in one of the many
activities her children participate in. She and her husband
have five children; one of which has been in martial arts
for more than 5 years. This allows her to see the difference
a good quality martial arts program can make in the life of
a child, the parents and the community.
Back to top
