Chief Instructor James Soviero, Yondan (4th degree black belt) and Shidoin (Certified Teacher by the U.S. Aikido Federation), has been practicing and teaching Aikido since 1991. Soviero Sensei is on the instructional staff at at the New York Aikikai, headquarters of the U.S. Aikido Federation, and at Aikido Schools of New Jersey - where he spent two years as a full-time apprentice, or "uchi deshi" to Rick Stickles Shihan. Soviero Sensei regularly trains at seminars around the country with some of the world's leading teachers. A Red Bank native, Soviero Sensei founded Aikido of Red Bank in 2002. He is a graduate of Montclair State University and of Red Bank Catholic High School.

Chris Ednie, Nidan (2nd degree black belt) began his training in aikido in 1980 with Mitsugi Saotome, Shihan in Washington, DC. He has studied under various USAF instructors in the New Jersey area since 1993. He has been a member and regular teacher at Aikido of Red Bank since 2002. Chris' creative and dynamic aikido style reflects his diverse background and his classes promote a blend of stylistic differences. When not at the dojo, Chris is a director at AT&T. He holds a masters degree in business management.

Jennifer Sekerka, Nidan (2nd degree black belt) was first introduced to Aikido by Shiro Kasuya Sensei and Yoshiaki Yokota Sensei when teaching at Josai High School in Tokyo, Japan. She did not start training in earnest, however, until 1992 with Josef Birdsong of Aikido of Austin, eventually becoming a student in the Kenshusei Program led by Akira Tohei Sensei of the Midwest Aikido Center. In 1997, Jennifer moved to New York City and trained at the New York Aikikai with Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and Seiichi Sugano Sensei until moving to the New Jersey shore in 2006. An avid traveler and photo hobbyist, Jennifer usually packs an Aikido gi along with her camera equipment, and has visited and trained in dojos in far away destinations such as Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Ho Chi Minh City, and Havana.

Lynne Crystal, Nidan (2nd degree black belt) took her first aikido test in 1996 and decided to train forever. Today, Lynne sees teaching adult and children's classes as an opportunity for growth and development for her students and her own practice.. Professionally, Lynne runs her own business, Lynne Crystal Company- Management Development Consultants. Since 1988, she has globally trained, coached, designed for and developed thousands of Corporate Executives in the Advanced Presentations, Meetings and Management Skills. She works in the USA, Puerto Rico,Canada, South America, Europe and Asia and likes seeking aikido dojo's to practice in when she travels. In addition, she enjoys writing, nature, yoga (thanks Rosemary) and theater. She and her husband Ted live in central New Jersey.

James Shaffer, Nidan (2nd degree black belt) is a student of martial arts from childhood, who began practicing Aikido in 1998 at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Aikido Club. Shortly after, he served as soto deshi under Chester Griffin of the Long Beach IslandAikikai. A move north took him to Aikido Schools of New Jersey in Roselle Park under the direction of Shihan Richard Stickles. Upon another move to Manhattan, he became a member of the New York Aikikai. Now back in New Jersey, he splits his time on the instruction staff at Aikido Schools of New Jersey and Aikido of Red Bank.

Michael Fitzpatrick, Shodan (1st degree black belt) began his aikido studies in Santa Monica, California, under Jun Mateo Sensei, whose style was informed by Shoji Nishio Sensei as well as the Philippine martial art Dangayan Singkaw. Michael moved to New York in the mid-1990s, where he studied at the New York Aikikai under Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei and Seiichi Sugano Sensei. As a member of the 8 a.m. class at New York Aikikai, he trained under Douglas Firestone Sensei. He has been a member of Aikido of Red Bank since 2003. Outside the dojo, he is a writer and editor who teaches journalism at Rutgers University.

Lee Alexander, Shodan (1st degree black belt) began studying Aikido by watching the opening class of Aikido of Red Bank on April 8, 2002. He joined the dojo that night and has been training ever since. With no previous martial arts background, he began training as much as his schedule would allow. He achieved the rank of Shodan (first degree black belt) in 2008. He volunteers a considerable amount of time to the dojo and was instrumental in helping to secure and decorate our new space. He teaches three classes a week at Aikido of Red Bank. His background in Corporate America spans 34 years in Telecommunications and Information Technology at IBM and the Bell System. He retired in 1999 and lives in Lincroft with his wife Mary. He is an active woodworker and teaches woodturning in his shop. He plays golf any time the weather permits, practices yoga daily, and has entirely too much fun.