FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 2020

INFORMATION CONTACT:
Neil Morton
Chief Executive Officer
501-568-2821
neil.morton@ataonline.com

Zach Rodgers
Chief Financial Officer
501-568-2821
zach.rodgers@ataonline.com

PRESS RELEASE

ATA International announces changes to its Masters’ Council

LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS (July 23, 2020) – The Board of Directors of ATA International announced today, with immediate effect, the expansion of the Masters’ Council that provides oversight and guidance to members at all levels, in all matters that relate to the art of Songahm Taekwondo.

The expanded Songahm Masters’ Council comprises a group of highly regarded, diverse, experienced individuals to help transmit its traditions and core values, and guide Songahm Taekwondo training and evolution into the future.

The Masters’ Council members are:
The Presiding Grand Master
Grand Master Robert Jager
Grand Master Michael Caruso
Chief Master Al Dilegge
Chief Master Larry Hoover
Chief Master Michelle Landgren-Lee
Chief Master Tony Isaacs
Chief Master Vincent Raimondi
Chief Master Michael Wegmann

We congratulate and thank these leaders for their dedication and willingness to help us prepare for the coming years in this ever-changing world.

One further change to the Masters’ Council reflects our commitment to ensuring continued leadership by the highest caliber personnel, directing Songahm Taekwondo without any appearance of bias or favoritism. To help us achieve those goals, the Board has created a non-voting position of Advisory Attorney, to attend all meetings of the Songahm Masters Council and provide the Council with expert legal advice. While this person is not required to be a martial artist, we are delighted to announce the inaugural appointment to this position of the highly regarded Senior Master, Jordan Schreiber.

The Founders Council will continue, as always, to provide guidance to the Masters’ Council to ensure the continuity of ATA values and traditions. ATA will always honor the Founders Council, as the individuals who helped H.U. Lee to establish the ATA martial arts goals and guiding principles: Grand Masters Emeritus Soon Ho Lee and In Ho Lee, and Grand Masters Robert Allemier, William Clark, M.K. Lee. In addition, we are excited to announce that Grand Master M.K. Lee will take on the role of Rank Advancement Training Director starting August 1, 2020. As RAT Director, he will maintain uncompromising levels of professionalism and impartiality.

“I know many people have been worried about how they could test for advancement in ATA while we are concerned about coronavirus, and I want you all to know that we are working hard to develop safe and fair ways to handle that,” said Grand Master M.K. Lee.

Mrs. Sun C. Lee, Chair of the Board of Directors, said on the Board’s behalf that they are very much looking forward to this next chapter in ATA history. They believe this will further enhance the working relationship between the three Councils that are the foundation and bedrock of our organization.

Mrs. Lee said “The expanded Songahm Masters Council will bring together some of the best talent and creativity in ATA’s upper ranks, in order to lead ATA into the future. They will benefit from the advice of the Founders Council, which embodies the long legacy of vision and wisdom handed down from Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee. As we move forward, we need full cooperation between the martial arts and business sides of ATA in order to survive the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic. Together, we can stay ATA strong!”

About ATA International

The ATA was founded in 1969 by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee. The organization is internationally headquartered in Little Rock, AR and has called the state capital its home since 1977. With active membership approaching 300,000 worldwide, ATA is North America’s largest martial arts organization dedicated to the discipline of Taekwondo. ATA is a pioneer in the martial arts industry because of its unique Songahm style curriculum.

For more information about ATA, visit www.ataonline.com.