Jules Pommier:

Jules Pommier was born in 1950 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended The Ohio State university and received a B.S. degree in marketing in 1973. Mr. Pommier began training in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu in 1969, briefly under Gary Tiktin, but principally under Paul Keller.

Mr. Pommier received a first degree black belt in 1971. He trained for several years in Isshin-ryu Karate under Sensei Harry Acklin and Sensei Angi Uezu, receiving the rank of second degree black belt in 1975. In August 1974, he visited Okinawa where he trained in several schools. Mr. Pommier also completed the 100 days of Chinese Iron Palm training under the direction of Sifu George Minich.

In April 1980, Mr. Pommier was awarded a fourth degree black belt in karate and a fourth third degree in weaponry. He received a fifth degree in karate and a fourth degree in weaponry in 1985. He earned a fifth in weaponry in September 1989 and a sixth degree in karate in June 1993. Hanshi Mike Hixson promoted Mr. Pommier to seventh degree black belt at the 2nd Annual Papa Joe Memorial Seminar in Cleveland, Ohio October 2008. At the Summer Budo Camp in 1985, Mr. Pommier turned in an incredible performance in a membership challenge match that pitted his bo technique against Paul Keller’s tunfa. He went on to earn a prestigious Daimyo rating in the Camp’s challenge match competition.

In 1975, Mr. Pommier opened his own school, the Okinawan Karate Academy in Bedford, Ohio. In 1984, he moved his school to Maple Heights after purchasing his own building. During the 1970s, Mr. Pommier won numerous trophies in fighting and weapons competitions. Mr. Pommier is a contributor to Sensei: A Handbook for ASKA Instructors and Their Students (2001).

On April 27, 2003 in Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Pommier was awarded the title of Papa Jules. This is the highest award that the ASKA can bestow. It was presented by Papa Joe.