Instructors

Our Team

Below are the volunteer instructors of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. Many of the senior instructors have been training since the early 1990’s. All of the staff members have professional careers outside of the dojo (or are retired!) and volunteer their time to teach. This helps build a strong Bujinkan community without the burden of making an income from teaching. Each instructor teaches with their own personal experiences intertwined, allowing students to see natural adaption and unique approaches to Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu. Below provides a brief introduction of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo instructors.

  • Jeff Ochester

    Jeff is a co-owner of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He started training in 1992 and has visited Japan since 1997 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. Jeff passed the godan test in 1999 at the Bujinkan Hombu. He is a jugodan and recipient of the Golden Dragon Award, Shin Gi Tai Bufu Ikkan Award, Yushuu Shihan and Dai Shihan certificates. Jeff currently teaches on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Jeff’s career is in the energy sector as a Security Advisor.

  • Marty Dunsky

    Marty is a co-owner of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He started training in 1995 and has visited Japan since 1999 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. Marty passed the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2003. He is a jugodan and recipient of the Golden Dragon Award, Shin Gi Tai Bufu Ikkan Award, Yushuu Shihan and Dai Shihan certificates. Marty currently teaches Wednesday kid's and adult classes. Marty is a retired Emergency Room Physician.

  • Pam Dunsky

    Pam is a co-owner of the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. She started training in 1995 and has visited Japan since 2001 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. Pam passed the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2006. She is a jugodan and recipient of the Dai Shihan certificate. Pam teaches Thursday nights.​ When not at the dojo, Pam is a COO for a business organization.

  • David VandenBos

    David is one of the co-owners of the dojo. He started training in 2001 and has visited Japan since 2003 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. David passed the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2010. He provides assistance during adult classes and teaches as a fill-in instructor when needed. David's full-time career is as a Fire Chief of a local Fire Department.

  • Charles Gelm

    Charles is a Lead Instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He started training in 1995 and has visited Japan since 2001 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. Charles passed the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu in 2007. In 2021 Charles was promoted to Jugodan. Charles currently teaches Tuesday & Friday adult classes and Saturday children classes. He is also the owner of Gelm Solutions, specializing in electronic interconnect products and accessories.

  • Mike Ockerman

    Mike is a Lead Instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He started training in 2001 and has visited Japan since 2007 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. In 2014 Mike passed the Godan test under Nagato Shihan at the Bujinkan Hombu. Mike earned his Judan in 2021. Mike currently teaches the Monday & Friday night adult class and the Saturday morning kid's class. Mike's full-time career is in the commercial truck sales industry. He is also an accomplished musician.

  • Bob Ensign

    Bob is a Senior Instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He started training in 1994. For 20+ years Bob has visited Japan to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. Bob passed the godan test in 2005. He is a Jugodan and recipient of the Yushuu Shihan and Dai Shihan certificates. Bob has earned a Kyosei rank in Tenshin Ryu Kenjutsu (non-Bujinkan) and performed a number of demonstrations for the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. Bob teaches Thursday nights and fills in as an instructor during the week.

  • Jess Attilli

    Jess is an instructor at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo. He started in training in 1995. Jess has visited Japan since 2003 to train with senior Bujinkan instructors. Jess passed the Godan test at the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in 2005. He is a Jugodan and recipient of the Golden Dragon Award, Shin Gi Tai Bufu Ikkan Award, Yushuu Shihan and Dai Shihan certificates. Jess teaches Thursday nights. Jess's full-time career is as a Labor Relations Consultant for the Ohio Education Association.

  • Alan Sakoman

    Alan Sakoman is an instructor at the Bujinkan Charlotte Dojo in North Carolina. He trained at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo from 2001-2011. Alan passed the Godan test in 2008 at the Bujinkan Hombu in Japan and received a Daishihan certificate in 2021. Alan is also active in BJJ and grappling, having competed in multiple Ohio-based NAGA events from 2005-2007. Alan currently studies BJJ under Pedro Sauer’s jiu-jitsu association and teaches at www.kma360.com. Alan is originally from Croatia and is fluent in English, Croatian and Russian.

  • Mark Gregory

    Mark has been training in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu at the Dayton Bujinkan Dojo since 1998. During his first trip to Japan in August 2011, he took and passed the Godan test under Noguchi Shihan at Ayase Budokan on the first attempt. Mark currently lives near Toledo, Ohio. Mark's full-time career is as a Christian Minister in the Toledo area.

  • Kevin Dunsky

    Kevin Dunsky began training in 1995. He’s been to Japan multiple times for training and passed his Godan test in Japan. In 2021 he received Jugodan by Nagato Daishihan. He also trains in Gracie Jui-jitsu at www.kma360.com