Andrew Pilch

9th Degree Black Belt

Master of the Arts

Founder of the American Institute of Kenpo 

 

Some of Mr. Pilch's accolades include:

• Began Kenpo Training 1986

• Certified Kenpo Instructor 1993

• Tested & Promoted to 1st Black Belt 1995

• Instructor of the Year 1997 (AKKA)

• Tested & Promoted to 2nd Black Belt 1997

• MMA & Kickboxing Fighter

• Tested & Promoted to 3rd Black Belt 2000

• Co-founded the American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) 2005

• Promoted to 4th Black Belt by AIK’s Black Belt Board 2007

• Certified Kickboxing Instructor for Pima Community College 2007

• Inducted into the U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame 2007

• Presented AIK Founder Belt 2009 

• Head Kickboxing and MMA Coach for AIK

• Promoted to 5th Black Belt by AIK’s Black Belt Board 2011

• Accepted as a personal student of Sigung LaBounty 2012

• Tested & Promoted to 6th Black Belt by Sigung LaBounty 2015

• Completed & Released AIK's New Curriculum July 2018

• Promoted to 7th Black Belt by Sigung Stephen LaBounty 2018

• Assumed full leadership of The American Institute of Kenpo 2022

• Promoted to the rank of Physicist in the Paxtial Arts by Ed and Baer Parker 2023

• Recognized by DistinguishedTeaching.com for having the "Best Martial Arts and Combat Sports Classes" in Tucson, AZ 2024

• Promoted to the rank of 9th Black Belt by Ed and Baer Parker 2024

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(1977 - Present) Andrew Pilch commenced his martial arts journey at the age of nine in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While Kenpo holds the distinction of being his preferred art, prior to embarking on Kenpo, he explored various styles, ultimately realizing that they did not align with his current needs.

 

In 1986, Mr. Pilch embarked on his Kenpo training under the guidance of Mike Winkeljohn. Mr. Winkeljohn has consistently demonstrated exceptional coaching and mentorship, along with an exceptional teaching staff, providing Mr. Pilch with the ideal balance of education and physical development.

 

Throughout his career, Mr. Winkeljohn’s path led him to attain the rank of 8th Degree Kenpo Black Belt, becoming a world champion in full-contact combat, and a world champion trainer. He is now a former champion in the ISKA, IMTO, and CHKA World Middleweight Kickboxing Championships. Additionally, he serves as a renowned coach for numerous world-class fighters, most notably those affiliated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

In 1993, inspired by his mentor, Mr. Pilch expanded his martial arts horizons beyond Kenpo, incorporating boxing, kickboxing, grappling, and mixed martial arts (MMA) into his training regimen.

 

In 1998, Mr. Pilch relocated to Tucson, where he assumed the role of school manager, later acquiring ownership of the institution. During his tenure in Tucson, Mr. Pilch actively participated in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA competitions. Furthermore, he has had the privilege of mentoring numerous talented martial artists and training countless amateur competitors in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA.

 

In 2005, Mr. Pilch co-founded The American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) and implemented his first substantial curriculum revision. This undertaking was substantial, but with the invaluable assistance of his seasoned teaching staff, the foundation of AIK was established, paving the way for the implementation of a more dynamic teaching model tailored to enhance the learning experience of martial arts students seeking to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for self-defense.

 

In 2007, Mr. Pilch acquired the requisite credentials to become an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College. These credentials enabled him to obtain the designation of Certified Kickboxing Instructor from Pima Community College. During his tenure as an instructor for several semesters, he mentored numerous other instructors, providing them with the opportunity to teach college classes and serve the students of Pima Community College.

 

Throughout his illustrious career in the martial arts spanning several decades, Mr. Pilch has cultivated numerous meaningful relationships. Shortly after the establishment of AIK, Mr. Pilch had his initial encounter with Ed Parker Jr., and over the ensuing years, they developed a close friendship. This friendship facilitated Mr. Pilch’s access to Mr. Parker’s mentorship in the art of design, which is regularly incorporated into AIK’s training resources, resulting in exceptional and visually appealing materials.

 

During the early stages of his acquaintance and collaboration with Mr. Parker, Mr. Pilch was introduced to a martial art known as American Kinetica. This discipline was subsequently renamed the Paxtial Arts to more accurately convey the objectives of Mr. Parker Jr.’s teachings. While the Paxtial Arts incorporates many of the principles of Kenpo, it distinguishes itself by focusing on scenarios that do not entail life-threatening situations. In contrast to Kenpo’s approach of employing concepts to maximize damage in a short amount of time, the Paxtial Arts employs these principles to gently and in a non-harmful manner neutralize an aggressor’s threat. This counterbalance to the martial arts’ violent solutions provides alternative methods for addressing individuals with whom one cares about and seeks to avoid causing injury. Consequently, the Paxtial Arts offers a mutually beneficial outcome, potentially enabling hypothetical Uncle Bob, who may have consumed excessive alcohol at the family gathering, to avoid the need for emergency medical attention.

 

In 2012, after several years of interaction, Mr. Pilch became a student of Sigung Stephen LaBounty. Mr. Pilch has consistently valued and appreciated the practical application of martial arts in real-life situations. While Sigung possessed a formidable exterior, it was his compassionate nature towards those he valued that truly set him apart. This compassionate and skill-oriented approach ultimately led Mr. Pilch to become one of Sigung’s students.

 

n 2018, Mr. Pilch implemented his second substantial curriculum revision, drawing upon the robust foundation established by AIK. Despite the significant nature of this revision, it was graciously accepted by the AIK students and instructors.

 

In 2022, Mr. Pilch’s business partners retired from AIK, necessitating Mr. Pilch to assume full leadership responsibilities within the organization.

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In 2023, Mr. Pilch achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first individual to be promoted to the rank of Physicist within the Paxtial arts by Ed and Bear Parker.

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