Chief Senior Grand MasterDr. Gerald A. Chavez began his training with Senior Grand Master Sam Allred at West Mesa High School in Albuquerque, NM in 1967. He was Senior Grand Master Allred’s first student to achieve the rank of black belt in the art of Kajukembo (Kempo Karate). Chief Senior Grand MasterChavez also earned a brown belt in Kodokan Judo. He was head instructor of Allred’s Karate College of the Southwest, originally headquartered at the University of Albuquerque, and assisted in organizing Thunderbird Kajukembo Activities, Inc.

He went on to open his own KajukemboSchool called Life-Dance Martial Arts, which continues to function to in Albuquerque, NM. He became a volunteer at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, where he taught self-defense to survivors. While doing his work at the Albuquerque Rape Crisis center, he was awarded Volunteer of the Year by the Governor of the State of New Mexico, Bruce King. He also did work for the “Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence” in Albuquerque, NM.

In 1980 he wrote his first book on self-defense, Karate Callejero (in Spanish) for Edamex Publishing Company in Mexico City. Shortly thereafter, he wrote his second book, “Que Hacer Ante unaAgresion Sexual.” One of his achievements he is most proud of is his collaboration with Grand Master Sam Allred on the book “AutodefensaCallejera,” which was published in 1995. In 1984, he pioneered a self-defense program at Memorial Psychiatric Hospital with Dr. Tom Carey. Chief Senior Grand Master Chavez taught karate to patients to address issues of self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, and anxiety. Along with other members of Thunderbird Kajukembo, he sponsored a variety of workshops and seminars featuring many of the pivotal figures in Kajukembo including Senior Grand MasterAl Decascos, Senior Grand MasterJon Loren, Ahgung Tony Ramos, Sifu Bill Owens, Grand MasterEric Lee, and Senior Grand MasterAlii Don Nahoolewa.

Chief Senior Grand Master Chavez is the head of the American Kajukembo Association which consists primarily of martial artists descending from Aleju Reyes who brought the Emperado Method to the mainland in 1959. He regularly contributes his teaching skills at seminars, often focusing on Wing Chung.