UTF President
Grandmaster Paul Irvin, IX Dan
Master Paul Irvin first learned of martial arts in the late 1950s by studying a book with his twin sister that an Army Instructor cousin of theirs had written for the Korean War. In 1967 he began training in a martial arts club in college under some students of Jhoon Rhee. He began formal Taekwon-do training with Master Han Cha Kyo in 1972. In 1974 as Dan I he began helping with the teaching of handicapped children, teaching after-school programs, and with developing the Iso-Trim and Dyna-Strike devices for training and health maintenance.
1976 – Dan II.
1980 – Dan III.
1981-1996 – served as Secretary General of the Universal Taekwon-do Federation.
1984 – Dan IV, and named assistant to Master Han Cha Kyo.
1990 – Dan V.
1995 – was sent by Grandmaster Han Cha Kyo to Malaysia to celebrate 26th anniversary of member school of Peter Lim Hok Han; participated in demonstrations, gave several seminars and met with various government officials in Kluang.
1996 – he promoted to Dan VI and Master level by Grandmaster Han Cha Kyo in a ceremony performed by Grandmaster Nam Tae Hi, and was appointed with Dr. James Langlas as co-leaders of the UTF.
2003 – Dan VII.
2012 – Dan VIII.
2024 – Dan IX.
He presently teaches in Portland OR and continues to write major articles about the major principles underlying developing the body, mind, and spirit.
Members of the Kondanja
The Kodanja is a board of experienced Taekwon-Do practitioners that provides ideas and recommendations to the President, and participates in organizing and implementing the various programs and projects of the UTF.
Master Bruce Helman VIII Dan
Earned 8th Dan in 2024
Earned 7th Dan in 2012
Trained with Grand Master Han for 18 years.
Head Instructor to the Korean Academy (Church School) 1990-1997.
Assistant to multiple community service programs from late 1970's.
Headed children's programs for Han's Taekwon-Do, Chicago
Vice President of the UTF
Head of UTF Tournament Services.
Judges Spokesman at Promotional tests.
Participant on numerous demonstration teams.
Dr. Grodoski
Chris Grodoski
4th Dan Instructor
Began training under Dr. Langlas in 1985
Promoted to Black Belt in 1995.
Granted charge of Kwanjangnim Langlas's Dojang and Pathways for Achievement upon his retirement.
Founded the Pathways Dojang.
Operated outreach programs in Chicago and suburbs for hundreds of students.
Competed in tournaments across the United States.
Mr. Augenlicht
Robert Augenlicht
4th Dan Instructor
Started training with Grandmaster Han in 1985.
Headed the Montrose Ave. school in Chicago.
Trained overseas in the mid-1990's
Promoted to 4th Dan in 2007
Mr. Copeland
Ray Copeland 4th Dan Instructor
Trained in the UTF with Master James Langlas 1994 – 2007.
Coordinated the UTF TKD program at Lucent Tech 1996 - 2008.
Taught the Childrens after school class at Langlas TKD in 1996.
Planned and Coordinated two annual TKD Demos at ALU 1996 - 2008.
Pathways for Achievement board member since 1998.
Promoted to 4th Dan in 2010
Promoted to 3rd Dan in 2002
Promoted to 2nd Dan in 1998
Promoted to 1st Dan in 1996
Mr. Ernsteen
Scott Ernsteen
4th Dan Instructor
Other Senior Leaders
Mr. Luongo
Raymond Luongo M.Ed. Concordia University, Portland
4th Dan Instructor
Trained with Grandmaster Han 1994-95
Trained with Masters Irvin and Helman since 1996
Led program for Master Earl Weiss in 1997
Founded UTF Madison 2000
Co-Founded UTF Portland 2010
Dr. Christensen
Dr. John Christensen 3rd Dan Associate Instructor
Promoted to 3rd Dan 2013
Promoted to 2nd Dan 2007
Promoted to 1st Dan 2003
1999 Began training in the UTF at Langlas TKD
2008 - Present Volunteer as President of Pathways For Achievement.
2005-2008 Co-Instructor of Taekwon-Do after-school program, Quest Youth and Family Services, Warrenville
Ms. Haycraft
Carolyne Haycraft M.Ed. Portland State University MFA University of Wisconsin, Madison
3rd Dan
Trained with Masters Irvin and Helman since 1996
Co-Founded UTF Portland 2010
Self-Defense Director/Facilitator for GirlStrength, Portland Police Bureau
Trained over 5000 girls and boys in self-defense in the City of Portland
Co-Founded EMERJ/SafeNow equity-based violence prevention organization