DR. GEORGE J. THOMPSON, PhD, PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THE VERBAL JUDO INSTITUTE, INC.
Dr. George J. Thompson is the President and Founder of the Verbal Judo Institute, a tactical training and management firm now based in
Dr. Thompson has written four books on Verbal Judo, each analyzing ways to defuse conflict and redirect behavior into more positive channels. The Institute offers Basic & Advanced courses in the Tactics of Verbal Judo. Doc received his B.A. from
Aside from his well known Police & Correction courses, Doc "Rhino" has designed special courses for educators, medical personnel, government & business employees, and the airlines. The Verbal Judo Institute has branch offices in
On a personal note, Doc and Pam are the proud parents of three-year old, Tommy Rhyno Thompson, and Doc, a survivor of throat cancer, has returned to active teaching. He also currently offers VJ training on the internet, at www.vjou.com., and has two more books forthcoming, Verbal Judo Leadership: The Hard Right (with Gregory Walker), and Hammett's Moral Vision, the book publication of his doctoral thesis.
You can browse his web site, www.verbaljudo.com or write him at VJI, Inc.,
EDUCATION:
- Bachelor’s,
- Doctorate,
- Completed post-doctoral work in Rhetoric and Persuasion,
HONORS/AWARDS:
- Voted Outstanding Educator of
- Certified Kubotan Instructor for police.
- Guest Instructor on the “Law Enforcement Training Network.”
- Black belts in Judo and Tae Kwon Do.
PUBLICATIONS:
- Verbal Judo: The Gentle Art of Persuasion
- Verbal Judo: Redirecting Behavior with Words
- Verbal Judo: Words as a Force Option
- Verbal Judo: The
LEE FJELSTAD, VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President of the Verbal Judo Institute and an international trainer with a professional background that includes over twenty-five years of speaking and training experience, and is a highly animated, humorous, thought provoking, and entertaining presenter. He has instructed audiences on Verbal Judo in the
Lee has been interviewed regarding Verbal Judo as the subject of magazine articles ranging in interebst from Conde Nast Traveler and Broker Magazine to sports publications like Referee Magazine, and in newsprint articles from the USA Today and the Wall Street Journal to small town newspapers. He has been seen and heard internationally on CNN, nationally on NBC, ABC, and Fox, in
His
Lee has instructed martial arts classes and self defense seminars for over twenty-five years and holds 2nd degree black belt ranking in three different styles of karate: Awayan (Filipino), Shotokan (Japanese) and Tae Kwon Do (Korean). He has also trained in Hapkido, Combat Judo, Arnis, and Aikido. His educational background includes degrees in English, Business, and Organizational Communication with additional post university work in Psychology and Behavioral Science. Along with Dr. Thompson, and Mr. Andy Sanano, a noted master martial artist from Rapid City, South Dakota, Lee created an instructional video on self-defense for adults and children called The Total Defense System," combining protective personal defense techniques with the tactics and strategies of Verbal Judo which sold internationally.
Lee now spends over 280 days per year traveling and teaching audiences to communicate effectively using Verbal Judo. His client list ranges from corporate and customer service industries, city and county government employees, to airlines, banking and real estate operations. Lee also still trains federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in both Verbal Judo and Self-Defense applications.
He can be reached by calling 941-350-9559 or email at lee@verbal-judo.com
Vice President of Operations and Trainer for the Verbal Judo Institute, Mike has created an exciting, edge of your seat, powerfully informative Verbal Judo presentation. Mike brings mastery to the classroom as a result of his extensive experience. That experience includes 23 years of hands on conflict resolution in the streets of
As National Director, Mike coordinates and oversees the training conducted by Associate Instructors when not conducting training courses himself for private corporations, customer service representatives, educational institutions, security departments and law enforcement throughout the
For information: Call (888) 966-7421 Fax: 443-646-0067
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DOUG HAIG, SENIOR TRAINER
Doug has been a Senior Associate with The Verbal Judo Institute, Inc. since 1991. He has conducted Verbal Judo training for numerous Law Enforcement agencies as well as those in the private sector with wonderful reviews.
Doug's professional background includes twenty years of Law Enforcement experience as a street officer working assignments including patrol, investigations and three years working narcotics as an undercover officer.
He has been employed with the Police Training Institute at the
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GARY KLUGIEWICZ, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Gary Klugiewicz is employed by PoliceOne (www.PoliceOne.com) as a Use-of-Force subject matter expert, researcher, program developer, and training specialist. PoliceOne’s mission is to provide officers with information and resources that make them better able to protect their communities and stay safer on the streets. This is done by providing a secure, trusted and reliable online environment for the exchange of information between officers and departments worldwide, by working with premier trade publications to provide cutting-edge information through print channels and by providing on-site officer survival training.
Under the umbrella of PoliceOne Training Network,
Most recently,
Consulting services are available to provide solutions to workplace challenges and the development of special programs for police, corrections, military, security, and mental health organizations.. Righteous use-of-force law enforcement officer defense expert witness services are available.
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COACH BOB LINDSEY, NATIONAL TRAINER
Colonel Robert K. Lindsey retired from law enforcement after 34 years of service. He retired at the rank of Colonel from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office in
The colonel is a graduate of
Since his retirement, he continues to utilize his vast experience to teach law enforcement trainers his renowned course entitled Mental Preparation for Winning & Surviving. His experience and dedication include his tireless efforts to educate police officers around the world. He is a founding member of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, serving on the Board of Directors of that organization for 16 years. He also holds the position of International Instructor Trainer emeritus with Monadnock Lifetime Products.
He writes and creates Tactical tips for police one.com. He is a member and contributor to Team one and IALEETA.
Colonel Lindsey has received numerous awards and honors, including Outstanding Law Enforcement Trainer of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement award from ASLET. Others are too numerous to mention.
Colonel Lindsey is a Verbal Judo instructor having the honor to have received his training from Dr. George Thompson. He has assisted Dr. Thompson in the presentation of the Verbal Judo Instructor Course. Colonel Lindsey also taught with and continues to learn from Gary Klugweicz who he has know for over twenty years.
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STEPHAN P. WOPERSHAL, SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Steve has been with the Verbal Judo Institute since 1991. He is a Senior Associate and Senior Instructor, earning his Black belt in Verbal Judo Techniques in 1997. Since then he has traveled throughout the
Recently, Steve has retired from Law Enforcement, after completing a successful 20 year career in
During those years, Steve was an adjunct instructor at the
Serving in the Military since 1965, active Navy as a Corpsman 68-69
Now as a full-time instructor, and committed to the Verbal Judo philosophy, Steve has utilized his unique background to tailor Verbal Judo specifically for the Medical field, offering classes for Nurses, Doctors, Hospital Administrators, and front line support people. In concert with Dr. Thompson, Steve has developed and offers a forty-hour Instructor Training course for Hospital personnel. Successful completion of this course enables participants to return to their work environment and teach others the philosophy and tactics of Verbal Judo. He is also available to teach the BASIC one or two-day Verbal Judo course to clients who must deal with the public, often under difficult and trying conditions.
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ANTHONY PINELLE, ASSOCIATE
Anthony L. “Tony” Pinelle has been an employee of the State of
Currently, Tony is the Chief of Public Safety at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at
In addition to his experience at the Mental Health Institute, he has been an active Reserve Deputy Sheriff in
He has trained thousands of police officers, correctional officers, business professionals, educators, and psychiatric caregivers in the Verbal Judo technique. He has intervened in countless volatile situations involving the general public and psychiatric patients, including forensic, general adult, and adolescents. He is committed to the Verbal Judo philosophy and brings to the Institute his unique teaching style.
Email: tonypinelle@msn.com Call: (719) 924-0029 (cellular)
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PETER HARRELL, JR. ASSOCIATE
Peter Harrell, Jr. is President of Harrell Communications (www.harrellcommunications .com). He has also been trained and certified as a National Trainer for the Verbal Judo Institute (www.verbaljudo .org) by Dr. George Thompson PhD, founder of the Verbal Judo Institute. He has a BA Degree in Theatre Arts, and Organizational Development from
Peter has also been certified to train, Dispute Resolution, Managing Group Conflict, and three of Franklin Covey’s top Leadership programs; “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, “The 4 Roles of Leadership”, and “Great Leaders, Great Teams, Great Results.” Peter has also provided training and consultant work for The University of Texas at
Recently retired from a 20-year career with the state of
Peter continues a 35 year acting career with roles in 50 national and regional commercials, 25 movies, 20 theatrical productions, and over 40 roles in television. Peter’s engaging, dynamic style of facilitating has both entertained and left audiences with a truly “value-added” experience.
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PATRICK J. BUCHER, ASSOCIATE
Pat retired from Law Enforcement after serving 30 years with the Maryland State Police. As Captain and the Commander of Training, his “hands on” problem solving experiences with conflict resolution make him a perfect fit, complimenting the Verbal Judo team. He graduated from
Pat’s effective and up-beat training style as a high energy “enter-trainer” brings an added dimension to our list of teaching professionals. His high-energy style of presentation and his animated delivery brings the class to life and gives life to the presentation.
Patrick travels throughout the
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GARY JONES, ASSOCIATE
After 5 ½ years as a Police Officer (Trenton, MO) and 13 ½ years as a State Trooper (Wyoming), Gary Jones began his career in Corrections in 1997 as a Corrections Investigator at Crossroads Correctional Center, a maximum security institution in Cameron, MO.
In 1999,
In 2003, Gary transferred to the Western Region Training Center (WRTC) where his Basic Training courses include Overview of Corrections, Verbal Judo, Professions of Corrections, Stress Management, Constitutional Law, Pepper Spray, Use of Force, Anatomy of a Set-up (games offenders use to take advantage of staff), Staff-Offender Relations, Transportation of Offenders, Restraints, and Staff Safety and Survival. He was part of a design team who re-wrote the 2-day Verbal Judo course presented to students during basic training.
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JEFFREY R. ROEMER, CPM. NATIONAL ASSOCIATE
Mr. Roemer has an extensive background in the Public Safety area. For 27 years he has served municipal governments in various duties, including Fire Chief for the City of
Mr. Roemer has been an instructor in defensive tactics, physical fitness, SWAT tactics, command post and ICS operations. He was trained in Verbal Judo instruction by the founder of Verbal Judo; George Thompson, Ph.D. Mr. Roemer brings a unique perspective to Verbal Judo instruction, with a background in police, fire,
As Police and Fire Chief, Mr. Roemer was responsible for all activities in the municipal Public Safety environment. He has provided departmental support for planning and implementing Information Systems,
As a Public Safety Consultant, Mr. Roemer has been a project manager for numerous Public Safety related organizational, communication, dispatch center, consolidation, information and geographic information systems, operational, and emergency operation center projects. Mr. Roemer also serves as an active member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Wisconsin Society of Public Managers, the
Mr. Roemer’s knowledge of Public Safety in a municipal setting has gained him recognition both at a local and national level. He has served as State Representative to the Great Lakes Division of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Secretary-Treasurer and President Elect of the Wisconsin Society of Certified Public Managers and numerous other positions with Police, Fire and Rescue Boards and Committees. Mr. Roemer has been recognized as the 2001 "Manager of the Year" by the Wisconsin Society of Certified Public Managers.
Jeff Roemer is a graduate of Northwestern school of police staff and command, the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, is a certified public manager and has an associate degree in police science.
Jeffrey R. Roemer, CPM President, RW Management Group, Inc. Professional Summary
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JOYCE BAKER, ASSOCIATE
Joyce is a nineteen year veteran of Missouri Department of Corrections, specializing in hard skills and “Tactical Communication.” She has taught defensive tactics for eighteen years and PR-24 police baton for seventeen years, respectively, for MODOC. She began her career as one of the first females to work in recreation in an all male prison, subsequently coordinating offender programs such as scared straight, cognitive restructuring programs, volunteer and substance abuse programs in
Joyce now has 9 years as a full time academy trainer specializing in Verbal Judo, evidence, searches, anatomy of a set up (offender games) and staff survival. She has also served as a consultant for Mineral Area College's law enforcement academy, Missouri Police Corps and presents Verbal Judo courses to educators, health care professionals and public safely agencies throughout the Midwest.
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GREGORY WALKER
Gregory A. Walker is an honorably retired “Green Beret” with 26 years of service to include combat campaigns in
A graduate of the
Mr. Walker is a disabled veteran (Operation Iraqi Freedom). He serves on the Board of Directors for Central Oregon Veterans Outreach in
Books written and co-written by Mr. Walker include The Way of Verbal Judo Leadership – Empowering the Thin Blue Line from the Inside Up, At the Hurricane’s Eye – U.S. Special Operations Forces from
Mr. Walker lives, writes, and teaches Verbal Judo from his home in the high
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WILLIAM KING, DIRECTOR, AUSTRALIA
Bringing a Quality Tactical Communications Course to
Verbal Judo was introduced into
Inspired by the credibility and power of the training in communications, on his return, Will introduced Verbal Judo to the Western Australia Police Service. After 2 years of training, studying, and utilizing the material, he returned to the
"If only I'd had Verbal Judo 20 years ago," was one of my initial thoughts whilst sitting in my first class with Dr Thompson back in 1993. In fact that's a comment I hear regularly throughout my courses. At last, I had found a system that works - under all conditions, with all people. As a life skill the specificity and scope of Verbal Judo is immense. I can tell you, it saves a lot of worry, heartache, and stress. If you have the opportunity to attend, or your organization arranges a verbal judo course, DO IT!" - Will King, Director
In 1995, Will was awarded the position of sole Australian associate and trainer for The Verbal Judo Institute, Inc. USA, and commenced offering Verbal Judo courses and seminars to organizations and businesses throughout Australia under the business name ‘Verbal Judo Australia.'
In 1997 Will left the Police Service due to the popularity and increasing demand for his courses and seminars in this unique training, and became the Australasian Director on behalf of Dr George Thompson, the President and Founder of the Verbal Judo Institute Inc,
Will has been invited as a guest speaker for training seminars throughout Australasia and the
Web Site: Email:
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DARCY PENNOCK, CANADIAN ASSOCIATE
Darcy holds a Criminology degree from the
Darcy delivers a dynamic, high-energy presentation, based on Dr. Thompson's philosophy of 'Entertrainment'. He is committed to ensuring that his courses are entertaining as well as educational and thought provoking. He has taught both the Law Enforcement and Contact Professionals course across western
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BO MUNTHE, BORN APRIL 13TH, 1943 IN STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
After spending 19 years in insurance and banking businesses Bo Munthe went in to full time Martial Arts training as a professional instructor. He started his Martial Art training 1958. He is nick named the “Grandfather of European Ninjutsu” (today known as Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu). Bo introduced this ancient Martial Art to the following countries;
Bo has been working since the mid 1980’s with violence prevention for the working groups in jeopardy of threat and violence in the workplace. He has founded his own system, called VAKSAM®, as a tool for creating safe workplaces and work environment. He is using his more than 50 years of Martial Arts experience to create mental awareness, body knowledge, harmony for and an awareness of security for staff and employers.
Education - Training
- Introduction course in Close Quarter Battle1, SAS (Special Air Service) Hereford, England, 1985
- Instructors License Police Self-Defense Training, IBA - Spain, 1986
- Instructors License Police Defensive Tactics, International Law Enforcement Training Association, 1987
- Training course, Personal Protection, International Bodyguard Association, Certified by IBA in Personal Protection 1987
- Director IBA Scandinavia, 1987
- Basic course Security Chiefs, SAF, 1987
- Instructor courses Self-Defence, Swedish Police Academy, 1983, 1992 and 1996
- Trained and certified by NSSC, National School Safety Center and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, USA, School Safety Leadership, 2000.
- Member of IASSP (International Association of School Safety Professionals) since 1999
- "Fellow member" of the American Institute of Stress, during the year of 1999
Written production
- Written numerous articles about violence prevention in the work place, conflict management and self protection.
- Written books about ninjutsu (Published in Swedish, English and German), Safe Workplaces and Conflict Management. He was a co-author of the first Security book for Swedish Schools, published in 2005.
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J. ANTONIO R. RODRIGUEZ, COQUE, SP MADRID, SPAIN
Contact address: Sagitario, 1 - 28023 - ARAVACA - MADRID (SPAIN) TLF; + +34 91 307 90 54
e-mail: judoverbal@elintspain.com
BIO
Coque is a veteran member of Spanish Guardia Civil since 1982. He holds a
He has been operative member of Special Intervention Unit (U.E.I.). In
In addition to his Guardia Civil Coque’s professional background includes two international tours of duty. He has been member of the Western European Union during the war time in
Antonio also has been an International Police Officer in United Nation for two years, working as court police legal advisor and as project manager for the State Investigation and Protection Agency.
Now he is a full time trainer and teacher for Law Enforcement giving course across
Antonio Coque writes books and articles on defensive tactics and he travels extensively both to learn and to teach.
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DON GOLD, AFRICAN DIRECTOR
Born and bred in the
Involved in many aspects of the protection of VIP’s including (among others) Dr. Henry Kissinger, Mr. Ian Smith and South African politicians (both past & present), Don has worked with members of US and Israeli Secret Services and was actively involved in the training of close protection officers and intelligence personnel.
As KZN chief instructor of Kimura Shukokai karate, Don is a 5th Dan black belt whose more recent martial arts experience includes eastern grappling, blade & stick systems, having received extensive training in Africa, Europe, the
Don is president of the Minimum Force Institute of
His clients include municipal & provincial law enforcement departments, nature conservation bodies (including the World Wildlife Fund and Southern African Wildlife College,
Don writes articles on defensive tactics for local and foreign publications. He regularly presents his popular courses to government, corporate and other organized groups throughout
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