GST Master Instructors

Rener Gracie is the CEO of Gracie University, and under his leadership, GST has become the leading jiu-jitsu-based defensive tactics program in the world. Even though he's not a law enforcement officer himself, his 20+ years working side-by-side with local, state, and federal agencies have made him keenly aware of the work that needs to be done in order to overcome the social, political, and economic challenges standing in the way of higher standards in defensive tactics across the country.

Tom began his law enforcement career with the Montgomery County Police Department in 1994. After serving as a patrol officer, field training officer, and background investigator, Tom became an instructor at the police academy where he taught defensive tactics to both in-service, as well as recruit officers. In 2019, Tom was awarded a black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Then, after 25 years of service, Tom retired from law enforcement to teach GST full time. If you're lucky enough to learn from Tom, his deep pool of knowledge and his love for people will leave an impact on you that will last long after the course is over.

Allan retired as the lead Defensive Tactics instructor at the Louisville Metro Police Department after 21 years of service in order to spend more time traveling and teaching GST across the country. He started learning jiu-jitsu with the Gracie Family in 1994 and opened his first BJJ school in 1996. In 2016, his school became the first Gracie University Certified Training Center in Kentucky, and in 2022, Allan was promoted to 4th degree black belt by Ryron and Rener. As a GST Leader, Allan has a special way of explaining techniques that makes them very easy to learn and so fun to practice regardless of your experience level.

Nate has over 29 years of combined law enforcement and military experience. After serving over 7 years in the U.S. Army, Nate became a police officer, detective, and then an FBI Special Agent. He has over 16 years of defensive tactics and firearms instructor experience. He is a black belt in BJJ with over 28 years of grappling experience. His teaching style is smooth and incredibly encouraging. It doesn't matter if your brand new to jiu-jitsu or you're a seasoned grappler, you'll never forget the first time you share the mat with Nate.

John's serene and professional demeanor, coupled with a unique ability to make techniques work for every student, irrespective of age or physical capability, make learning from John a fun and inspiring experience.

Charlie retired from the Arlington Texas Police Department with 29 years of service, where he served as the Defensive Tactics Coordinator. Charlie served as the agency's subject matter expert in use-of-force analysis/litigation and policy development. After retiring, Charlie continues to serve as a reserve police officer, bringing his total law enforcement experience to 32 years and counting. In addition to instructing GST courses around the country, Charlie serves as Gracie University's Director of GST Operations. With over 18 years of GST teaching experience and almost double that behind the badge, the courses Charlie leads provide students with a one-of-a-kind learning experience that will completely transform the way you think about defensive tactics.

Mark retired in 2019 from a 24-year career in law enforcement with the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland. Mark served as a patrol officer for 17 years, before progressing to the rank of patrol sergeant. In 2012 he transferred to the police training academy where he served as the Entry Level Training Sergeant as well as a defensive tactics and physical training instructor for both the Entry Level Training and In-Service Training. In 2015, Mark became a GST instructor. Mark currently enjoys sharing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at a Certified Training Center in Maryland. Mark is passionate about keeping officers safe by sharing GST with the law enforcement community. Classes appreciate Mark's ability to apply GST to real-life applications that draw from his years of experience as a street cop and police training supervisor.

Howard has been training and teaching martial arts for over three decades. He holds black belts in multiple martial arts, including Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. As a GST Master Instructor for almost a decade, Howard has trained first responders from hundreds of agencies from coast to coast. Whenever he is not on the road leading GST courses, Howard owns and operates a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center in Smyrna, Delaware. Time and time again, those who have had the privilege of attending a GST course under Howard's lead, have raved about his unique blend of humor, compassion and technical precision.

Bernardo is a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the head instructor at the Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He started his martial arts journey at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Norfolk 14 years ago and has earned a reputation as an amazing instructor and competitor. He enjoys traveling the country teaching GST to first responders from local, state and federal agencies. Although he possesses the attributes of an elite athlete, based on a lifetime of jiu-jitsu competition and swimming at the international level, his biggest strength is the way in which he connects with every student on the mat. Regardless of your skill level or physical ability, you'll love Bernardo's positive attitude, and you'll appreciate his problem-solving abilities; no matter how complex the problem, when Bernardo is leading the way, the solution is always simple.