Carmi Taekwondo Center Instructors
Master Ryan L. Marx
Master Ryan L. Marx is the owner and head instructor of Carmi Taekwondo Center. Master Marx began training in Taekwondo in 1987 under then 3rd Degree Black Belt David Foshee. After 4 years of training, Master Marx achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in June of 1991, becoming Master Foshee's second black belt.
In August of 1992, Master Marx successfully tested for the rank of 2nd Degree Black Belt becoming Master Foshee's first 2nd Degree Black Belt. It was at this time that he started expressing interest in teaching the art of taekwondo. After discussing the responsibilities of becoming an instructor Master Marx choose to enroll in the Junior Trainee Instructor Program. During the course of the program, Master Marx honed his teaching skills.
In January of 1996, Master Marx was presented with his 3rd Degree Black Belt. Again, Master Marx was the first student promoted to this rank by Master Foshee.
In the fall of 2000, after 8 years in the Junior Trainee and Trainee Instructor program, Master Marx successfully completed the ATA's rigorous Certified Instructor Program.
Master Marx tested and received his 4th Degree Black Belt after testing at World Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas.
After many years of assisting at Wabash Valley Taekwondo in Mt. Carmel, IL, Master Marx made the decision to open his own taekwondo school. As part of the ATA's organizational requirements for opening a new taekwondo school, Master Marx attended a 4-day business seminar in October of 2002.
Just over one year later, on January 6, 2004, Master Marx taught the very first class at Carmi Taekwondo Center.
On October 19, 2006, Master Marx successfully tested for his 5th Degree Black Belt at ATA Fall Nationals in Orlando, Florida.
Master Marx successfully tested for his 6th Degree Black Belt in Little Rock, AR on July 12, 2013.
Master Marx earned the title of Master Instructor on July 8, 2015, during the ATA's Traditional Master's Ceremony.
Master Marx has also completed training seminars in:
- Single Ssahng Jeol Bong (Nunchaku)
- Double Ssahng Jeol Bong
- Yoo Sul (Judo)
- Ground Fighting
- Single Bahng Mahng Ee (Short stick)
- Ground Fighting - Level II
- Combat Bahng Mahng Ee
- PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics)
- TAC Krav Maga
Other Taekwondo accomplishments:
- 2001-2007 Illinois State Forms & Sparring Champion
- 2002 8th Place in ATA World Championship Sparring competition
- 2003 Bronze Medal in ATA World Championship Sparring competition
- 2012 Illinois State Sparring Champion
- 2013 Illinois State Forms, Sparring & Combat Weapons Champion
- 2013 Qualified for ATA World Championship Sparring Competition
- 2013 Silver Medal in ATA Mid-Atlantic District Championship Forms competition
- 2013 Bronze Medal in ATA Mid-Atlantic District Championship Combat Weapons competition
- 2013 ATA Mid-Atlantic District Sparring Champion
- 2016 Illinois State Forms, Sparring & Combat Weapons Champion
- 2016 Qualified for ATA World Champion Forms, Sparring & Combat Weapons Competitions
Mrs. Patricia Mills
Mrs. Patricia Mills is a Certified Instructor at Carmi Taekwondo Center. Mrs. Mills began training in Taekwondo in 2004 under then 4th Degree Black Belt Ryan Marx. After 4 years of training, Mrs. Mills achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in July of 2008, becoming Master Marx's fifth black belt. In February of 2009 Mrs. Mills successfully tested for Trainee instructor. Mrs. Mills tested and achieved her 2nd Degree Black Belt in October 2010, becoming just the second to earn the rank at CTC. Mills tested and received her 3rd Degree Black Belt in March 2013 becoming one of the first (along with Kolt Murphy) to earn the rank at Carmi Taekwondo Center. In June 2017 Mills successfully tested for 4th Degree Black Belt, becoming the first to earn the rank at Carmi Taekwondo Center. In October 2022 Mills became the first student to earn the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt under Master Marx.
Ms. Mills is also certified by the ATA to teach:
- Single Ssahng Jeol Bong (Nunchaku)
- Single Bahng Mahng Ee (Short Stick)
- Tai Chi
- Double Ssahng Jeol Bong (Nunchaku)
- Double Bahng Mahng Ee (Short Stick)
Other Taekwondo accomplishments:
- 2009 ATA Top 10 Qualifier in Forms Competition
- 2009 ATA Sparring World Champion
- 2010 Illinois State Champion in Forms, Sparring & Weapons
- 2010 ATA Top 10 Qualifier in Forms and Weapons
- 2010 Silver Medal in ATA World Championship Sparring Competition
- 2014 Bronze Medal in ATA World Championship Sparring Competition
- 2015 ATA Top 10 Qualifier in Sparring
- 2017 ATA Top 10 Qualifier in Forms, Weapons & Combat Weapons
- 2017 ATA Sparring World Champion
- 2018 Illinois State Champion in Sparring
- 2018 ATA Tournament of Champions Qualifier in Forms, Weapons, Sparring & Combat Weapons
- 2019 ATA Tournament of Champions Qualifier in Forms, Weapons and Sparring
- 2019 Bronze Medal in ATA World Championship Sparring
- 2020 Illinois State Champion in Sparring & Combat Weapons
- 2020 ATA Tournament of Champions Qualifier in Forms, Weapons, Sparring and Combat Weapons
- 2021 Bronze Medal in ATA World Championship Forms
- 2021 Silver Medal in ATA World Championship Sparring
- 2022 Region 106 Adult Black Belt of the Year
- 2022 Bronze Medal in ATA Mid America District Championship Forms Competition
- 2022 Bronze Medal in ATA Mid America District Championship Combat Weapons Compeition
- 2022 ATA Mid America District Sparring Champion
- 2022 Bronze Medal in ATA World Championship Forms
- 2022 ATA International Adult Black Belt of the Year
- 2024 ATA Tournament of Champions Qualifier in Forms, Weapons, Sparring and Combat Weapons
- 2024 Bronze Medal in ATA World Championship Forms
- 2024 ATA Sparring World Champion
Mrs. Katherine Neumiller
Mrs. Katherine Neumiller is a Certified Instructor in the ATA Legacy Program. She began training in Taekwondo in September of 2008 under then 5th Degree Black Belt Ryan Marx. After nearly 3 years of training, Mrs. Neumiller achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in August of 2011, becoming Master Marx's 8th black belt. In December 2013 she earned her 2nd Degree Black belt, becoming the fourth to earn the rank at CTC. In December of 2014 Mrs. Neumiller successfully tested for Trainee Instructor. In December 2020, after 7 years as a 2nd Degree Black Belt, she tested for and earned her 3rd Degree Black Belt.
Mrs. Jerry Richards
Mrs. Jerry Richards is a Certified Instructor in the ATA Legacy Program. She began training in Taekwondo in March of 2013 under then 5th Degree Black Belt Ryan Marx. After over 2 ½ years of training, Mrs. Richards achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt in December 2015, becoming Master Marx's 13th black belt. In December 2017 Mrs. Richards earned her 2nd Degree Black belt, becoming the seventh to earn the rank at CTC. Over the next 4 years she worked to improve her abilities, both as a black belt and learning how to be an instructor. In September of 2021 Jerry successfully tested for 3rd Degree Black Belt becoming the 5th student to earn the rank under Master Marx.
Other Taekwondo accomplishments:
- 2017 - ATA Top 10 Qualifier in Forms and Sparring Competition
- 2020 - Illinois State Champion in Sparring
- 2022 Region 106 Adult Black Belt of the Year
Mrs. Becky Brooks
Mrs. Becky Brooks is a Certified Instructor in the ATA Legacy Program. She began training in Taekwondo in September of 2013 under 6th Degree Black Belt Master Ryan Marx. In December 2013, after over 3 years of training, Mrs. Brooks achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt; becoming Master Marx's 14th black belt. In April 2021 Mrs. Brooks successfully tested for 2nd Degree Black Belt becoming the 8th member of CTC to earn the rank. In September of 2023 Becky successfully tested for 3rd Degree Black Belt becoming the 6th student to earn the rank under Master Marx.
Other Taekwondo accomplishments:
- 2024 - Illinois State Sparring Champion