Instructors
Grandmaster Doo Wai
For six generations, White Tiger Kung Fu has been passed from father to son, ending finally with Grandmaster Doo Wai, who has decided to make the art available to the public. Aside from holding the esteemed title, Grandmaster Doo Wai serves as a technical advisor on martial arts-related feature films and served as the Grand Juror of the San Diego Asian Film Festival. A Chinese historian and scholar, Grandmaster Doo Wai has been on the cover of Inside Kung Fu, Ancient Sets of Kung Fu, and Karate Kung Fu Illustrated.
Sifu Tom Rizzo
A martial arts student since the age of six, Tom Rizzo has studied a full range of martial arts including Karate, JuiJitsu, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, and Kempo. Tom has been teaching since 1990, and has studied with Grandmaster Doo Wai since 1991. Rizzo, a former federal agent, was a certified defense tactics instructor for the U.S. Department of Justice, teaching federal agents to fight in hand-to-hand combat.
Chief Instructor Dennis Wood
Dennis Wood started his martial arts training with Kempo in 1988. Four years later he began studying Bak Fu Pai under Sifu Tom Rizzo and Grandmaster Doo Wai. He has since been a closed-door disciple of the Grandmaster. Dennis is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom where he served his time as a combat engineer. He is currently the chief instructor of the Westwood school and a lead member of Team White Tiger MMA.
JOU GAU'S - SENIOR ASSISTANT INSTRUCTORS
Sean McNeill - Yi
Sean is a senior assistant instructor and closed door disciple of Sifu Tom Rizzo. His past martial arts experience includes Tang Soo Do and Hwa Rang Do fighting systems. When not training Bak Fu Pai, Sean works as a building design consultant and has over 20 years of technical rock climbing experience.
Eric Sorenson-Livingstone - Sam
Eric is a senior assistant instructor and closed door disciple of Sifu Tom Rizzo. Outside of Bak Fu Pai Eric enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and movie-making.
David Morbitt - Sae
As a native of Texas, David grew up Boxing, Wrestling and playing Football. He is a closed door disciple of Sifu Tom Rizzo and senior assistant instructor. At White Tiger Kung Fu, David teaches all levels of students, including the Youth Program. He enjoys helping young children develop strong fundamentals and discipline in Kung Fu, and teaches them to apply these same principles to their daily lives.