Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Tai Chi, and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of East West Martial Arts instructors, starting with Master Doug Bertrand:

Master Doug Bertrand  (6th Degree/Master)  Master Doug Bertrand, a 6th degree black belt, began his martial arts training at the age of 10 in 1982. In 1991, he was the first student to complete both the youth and adult programs of Kajukenbo Tum Pai Kung Fu and receive his 1st degree black belt and teaching certificate. It was also in 1991, that Doug, along with his parents Terry and Judy Bertrand, opened Hazel Dell Kung Fu. This was also the same year he began competing on the open regional and national circuits of NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association) and the NBL (National Black Belt League). From 1991-1999 he was the #1 rated lightweight fighter in the Northwest. On the National and International level, from 1994-1999 he was consistently rated among the top 4 Lightweight Fighters in the world by NASKA. Because of his fighting ability and winning attitude, he was selected in 1996 as one of the original members of the Team Elite World Karate Team (now Team CJB). In 1999, he achieved his fighting career goals with wins at the Compete Nationals (Grand Champion), the New England Open (Grand Champion), and the prestigious Battle of Atlanta. For his 1999 efforts, Doug was named "Defensive Fighter of the Year" by ON POINT magazine and awarded Martial Artist of the Year by Black Belt Schools International. Doug culminated the 1999 season by winning the world Lightweight Fighting title, ranking him as the #1 fighter in the world by NASKA in that division. In 1999, Doug and his wife Zennette became the sole owners of the school and changed the name to East West Kung Fu Academy, LLC. After accomplishing his goals as a competitor, he refocused his energy on his family and to building Vancouver's premier martial arts and life skills center. In order to accomplish this goal, he joined Black Belt Schools International and began implementing teaching methodologies developed by Professor Greg Silva including; "Teaching Benefits", "Universal Curriculum", and "Phase Curriculum". The results were immediate; his students were learning faster and excelling in the physical and mental benefits of martial arts. There are now over 500 students training at East West Martial Arts. As Vancouver's premier martial arts center, Doug and East West Martial Arts have received several awards for their outstanding service, contributions to the community and innovative martial arts instruction; setting new standards in the martial arts industry. East West Martial Arts has been voted one of the top 10 schools in the Nation by Black Belt Schools International, and was one of only three schools to win the prestigious Ruby Award at BBSI's International Convention in 2002. In 2003, Doug was selected as one of 14 members of Black Belt Schools Internationals Board of Directors. A dedicated husband, and father of 2 young children, Doug trains and teaches daily, and continues to make a positive impact on the students and families of East West Martial Arts, as well as, Vancouver's community. E-mail Master Doug

Ray Stephens  (3rd Degree Black Belt/Certified Instructor/Program Director) Ray began his Martial Arts training in 1987 after receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Juvenile Corrections from Troy State University in Alabama. He earned his Black Belt and Teaching Certificate in Choi Kwong Do in 1992. Ray became a student at East West Martial Arts in 2000. In 2001 he began training as an assistant instructor and in 2002 became the school’s Program Director. In June of 2003 Ray earned his Black Belt in Kajukenbo Kung Fu and is currently holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt. Ray finished first at the 2002 Northwest Martial Arts Association USA Nationals in the Men’s 35 and over division in point fighting and open forms. Ray finished the season Ranked #1 by the NWMAA in men’s point fighting. Ray is also a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pedro Sauer. Ray’s Martial Arts family consists of wife Jolene and his three children Dalton, Carter and daughter Rayelle.

Eric Ehmke  (3rd Degree Black Belt/Head Instructor/Certified Krav Maga Black Belt) Eric began his Martial Arts training at the age of 8, training in Karate and Hapkido. He began training at East West Martial Arts in December 2000 as a student. Eric earned his black belt in Kajukenbo Kung Fu in December 2003 and his first degree Black Belt in December 2004. Eric Currently holds the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt. Eric has been the head instructor for the children’s program since 2001. Eric is a certified instructor through Black Belt Schools International and has earned many instructor certifications during his trainings in the Bahamas, California and Florida. He is also a member of the East West Martial Arts Demonstration Team and Competition Sparring Team. In addition to Kajukenbo Kung Fu, Eric is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt and a Black Belt in the Israeli Fighting System, Krav Maga and has gone to the Los Angeles National Training Center for Instructor Certification. Eric is certified as an Black Belt level Krav Maga Instructor.

Gigi Thibodeaux  (2nd Degree Black Belt/Certified Instructor/Program Director)  Gigi began her martial arts training at the age of 19 studying Karate. She became a student at East West Martial Arts in January 2003 and in December 2005 she earned her black belt in Kajukenbo Kung Fu. In March 2003 Gigi became an instructor for the children’s program. Along with being an instructor Gigi also participates in coordinating Martial Arts birthday parties and is camp director for summer camps held at East West Martial Arts. Gigi is a certified instructor through Black Belt Schools International and has earned instructor certifications during her trainings in California and in Florida. She is also a member of the Demonstration Team and Competition Team. Gigi has also completed instructor certifications at the Krav Maga National Training Center in Los Angeles and is a certified intermediate level Krav Maga instructor. Gigi is currently the program director at the East Vancouver location. She continues to help inspire and develop students from the inside out. Gigi’s husband, Ed and children Justin, Tre’ and Taryn all study martial arts at East West Martial Arts.

Ed Thibodeaux  (2nd Degree Black Belt/Certified Instructor) Ed began studying martial arts as a teenager in Kenpo Karate, in 1992 he earned his black belt in that art. Ed became a student at East West Martial Arts in September of 2002 and earned his black belt from East West Martial Arts in Kajukenbo Kung Fu in September 2005. Ed currently holds the rank of 1st Degree. In October of 2003 Ed joined the East West team as an instructor for the children’s program. Ed is a certified instructor through Black Belt Schools International and has earned instructor certifications during his trainings in California and Florida. Ed is also a member of the Demonstration Team as well as the Competition Sparring Team. Ed and his family, Gigi, Justin, Tre’ and Taryn, all study martial arts at East West. Ed looks forward to expanding his skills as a martial artist as well as continuing his training in order to develop himself as an instructor for both children and adult programs.

Jon King  (2nd Degree Black Belt/Certified Instructor) Jon has studied martial arts for 6 years as a student at East West martial Arts. In October of 2004, Jon joined the staff at East West Martial Arts as an instructor for the children’s program. In February of 2005 Jon also became an assistant instructor for the Adult Kung Fu program. He was proud to earn his Black Belt on June 11, 2005. Jon is currently the head instructor at the East Side location. Jon aspires to reach his third degree black belt and to continue training and developing himself as an instructor for East West Martial Arts.

For more information about the East West Martial Arts staff or training programs, please contact us at (360) 695-6845 or by clicking here.