Our Staff

Our Staff

Administrative Staff

President and Head Instructor

Master Keith Wilkes

Director of Operations

Denise Wilkes

With a B.S. in Broadcast Communications and a minor in psychology, Master Wilkes has an extensive sales and managerial background. As the Major Account Representative to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with IKON Office Solutions, he was the Major Account Rep. of the Year in 1998. A member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, Master Wilkes is a published author, speaker and the Pennsylvania School Support Network Representative. Since opening FEAR KNOT in 1998, his goal has been to expose as many as possible to the life-changing benefits of martial arts training.

Denise joined FEAR KNOT after spending 20 years with Piercing Pagoda and Zales Corporation. Originally a part-time, seasonal employee with P.P., she earned every major sales and managerial award offered by Piercing Pagoda on her way to her regional director's position. Denise was responsible for 125 stores in 5 states and more than 750 employees. She enjoys being with FEAR KNOT because of the members and the family atmosphere in the schools. Denise is an avid scrapbooker and enjoys spending time with the grandchildren. Denise and Keith met when she joined the Elizabethtown school in 2002.



Administrative Assistant Elizabethtown Jennifer Parsons	Administrative Assistant Middletown Yvette Keefer
Joining FEAR KNOT in 2003, Jennifer attended Mount Joy Vocational School after graduating from Donegal High School. She enjoys working with the parents and students because she’s a social animal. She’s all about it. In her spare time Jen enjoys her 3 children (most of the time), scrapbooking and going to the beach.	An Administrative Assistant with Highmark Blue Shield, Yvette Decided to join FEAR KNOT's staff in 2007, a year after enrolling her son in our Karate Kidz program. A graduate of Central Dauphin High School, she enjoys working with people and says its a pleasure to hear the kids come off the floor and tell their parents what they did during class. In her off time, Yvette spends time with her family, reads and is a puzzle junkie.

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Administrative Assistant
Lancaster

Kristy Musser

Currently a junior at Millersville University, Kristy is working toward a B.S. in Psychology. She says the part she likes about working at FEAR KNOT the most is that the people really want to make a difference and that she’s making a difference as well. Her interests outside FEAR KNOT include reading, drawing and listening to music.



Director of Fitness Programs Derek Kline	Director of Youth Developmental Programs Franklin Menges, III

A Captain with U.S. Airways Express, Derek has a B.S. in Aviation Management. He has been with FEAR KNOT since joining the school’s martial arts program in 2001. A fitness instructor since 2002, Derek enjoys working with the Fitness Kickboxing members. His other interests include mixed martial arts training.	With a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee, Franklin began his martial arts training in 2000 and earned his blackbelt in 2002. He joined FEAR KNOT Martial Arts in 2003. Franklin was promoted to his position as Youth Developmental Programs Director in 2005 and has oversight of the Little Ninjas and Karate Kidz Programs

Martial Arts Instructors

Master Keith Wilkes, 4th Dan (3rd Dan - Kukkiwon)
Kwan Jang Nim (Head of School)

Master Wilkes began his Taekwondo training at the age of 15 within the International Taekwondo Federation in Denver, Colorado. He is a published author, speaker and the Pennsylvania School Support Network Representative for the National Association of Professional Martial Artists. Master Wilkes is one of the first 100 martial artists to pass the Instructor Certification requirements of the American Council on Martial Arts. He is also a Certified Fitness Kickboxing Instructor. Master Wilkes earned an A.S. in General Studies from Vincennes University in 1980 and a B.A. in Broadcast Communications with a minor in Psychology from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1990. Besides the martial arts, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with his wife.

Franklin Menges, 2nd Dan
(1st Dan Kukkiwon)

Youth Developmental Programs Director
Martial Arts Instructor

Holding a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee, Franklin began his martial arts training in 2000 and earned his blackbelt in 2002. He joined FEAR KNOT Martial Arts in 2003. Franklin was promoted to his position as Youth Developmental Programs Director in 2005 and has oversight of the Little Ninjas and Karate Kidz Programs. He also aspires to become a career martial artist and school owner.

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Greg Spotts, 2nd Dan
(2nd Dan Kukkiwon)

Martial Arts Instructor
Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

Having returned to Central PA after studying biochemistry in Philadelphia, Greg currently holds a management position with Isaacs Restaurants in Harrisburg. He joined FEAR KNOT in 2007 after studying Taekwondo in the area for several years. Greg says its exciting to have the opportunity to help our younger students along in their martial arts journey. Having a life-long passion for the martial arts and the ultimate goal to become a professional instructor, this is “his thing”.

Andy Snyder, 2nd Dan
(1st Dan Kukkiwon)

Assistant Martial Arts Instructor
Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A member of FEAR KNOT since 2000 and a junior at Elizabethtown Area High School, Andy enjoys teaching because he gets to pass his knowledge on to the next generation. His favorite age group is the Karate Kidz class because he has a little sister the same age. A junior at the Elizabethtown Area High School, Andy enjoys martial arts, in-line skating, paintball and laser-tag.

Michael Sigman, 1st Dan

Martial Arts Instructor
Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

Mike began his martial arts training in 1997 and earned his blackbelt in 1999. Joining FEAR KNOT in 2006, he enjoys studying the philosophical aspects of the martial arts. Mike's greatest satisfaction in teaching is passing his knowledge down to his students. He is an avid outdoorsman.

Tim Yasi, 1st Dan

Assistant Youth Martial Arts Instructor

A freshman at Donegal High School, Tim has been with FEAR KNOT since 2002. As a student, he enjoys learning new techniques. As an instructor, Tim likes working with the younger students and passing his skills along. Besides his training at FEAR KNOT, he looks for activities that challenge his strengths as well as his mind, like learning to play golf.

Stephanie Wells, 1st Dan

Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A Freshman at Elizabethtown College majoring in English Education, Stephanie originally came to FEAR KNOT as a student in 2007. She currently holds a blackbelt in Hapkido. Stephanie decided to become an instructor because of the school’s family environment and she says its fun to watch the kids learn and have fun. Besides her martial arts training, Stephanie enjoys reading and listening to music. She’s also a member of the college’s colorguard.

Cathy Richardson, 1st Dan

Assistant Martial Arts Instructor
Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

With a B.S. in Clinical Dietetics from Syracuse University and a Masters in Health Care Administration, Cathy decided to join our instructor ranks after earning her blackbelt. She believes that all children can benefit from martial arts training, whether to learn to defend themselves from bullies or to gain self control and self confidence (her 3 children are also students). When not at FEAR KNOT, Cathy enjoys the occasional spinning class, baking and is working toward becoming a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

Tyler Benkowitsch, 1st Dan

Youth Developmental Programs Instructor
Assistant Martial Arts Instructor

A freshman at Steel High Middle School, Tyler is a graduate of our Karate Kidz Program. A member since 2005, he started teaching at FEAR KNOT because it looked like a fun thing to do. The Little Ninjas Program is his favorite because he knows that what he's teaching will help them as they get older. Tyler is into football and basketball. He also likes to go to the races.

Lucchesse, Yvonne, 1st Dan

Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A marketing and sales rep for Lancaster County Woman, Yvonne earned her blackbelt in 2007. She is a certified yoga instructor and is currently studying to become a holistic health practitioner. Yvonne decided to become a member of FEAR KNOT's staff because this is her passion. Her other passions include spending time with her 3 children, her dog Winston, running, weight training and reading.

Brian Dombrowski, 1st Gup

Assistant Martial Arts Instructor
Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A project manager with Berry Plastics Corporation, Brian has an A.A.S. in Automotive Engineering and a B.S. in Plastics and Polymer Engineering from The PA College of Technology. He decided to bring his varied martial arts experience to FEAR KNOT in 2007 because the schools are focused on growth in the martial arts as well as everyday life. Brian likes that each program is tailored toward specific age groups and their needs as well as their specific abilities to learn. It’s not a “one size fits all” program. Brian’s interests include golf, muscle cars and drag racing. Vroom-Vroom-Vroom!

Ryan Bittner,4th Gup

Assistant Martial Arts Instructor
Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A management consultant with the Department of Defense, Ryan’s martial arts background includes training in Moo Duk Kwan and Tang Soo Do. Currently completing a B.S. in Organization Leadership at Duquesne University, he originally came to FEAR KNOT in 2006 when he enrolled his daughter in our Karate Kidz Program. Ryan finds it gratifying to impart knowledge to others in a way that has a long-lasting positive impact on their lives. Skiing, swimming, soccer and golf are his other interests.

Kristy Musser, 6th Gup

Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A psychology major at Millersville University, Kristy started her training in 2006 in Master Wilkes' H.A.C.C. self defense course. Since then, she's taken on the role of instructor in the Lancaster school's Little Ninjas program. When she's not "playing" with the Ninjas, Kristy's activities include reading, drawing and listening to music.

Jess Graybill, 6th Gup

Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

With an Associate of Science from Western International University, Jess is a Phlembotomist at the Lancaster General Health Campus (look it up). Jess decided to begin training and teaching in 2007 after watching her daughter prosper in FEAR KNOT's Little Ninjas and Karate Kidz programs. She says she really enjoys playing and watching the kids develop. When she isn't running around with the Ninjas, Jess home schools her daughter, does some arts and crafts, spends time with the family and practices yoga.

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Dylan Housman, 11th Gup

Assistant Youth Developmental Programs Instructor

A 6th grader at Manheim Central Middle School, Dillon is currently in our Karate Kidz Program. Helping with our Little Ninjas classes, he says he decided to join FEAR KNOT's staff because he knew it would be a great learning experience and would give him more responsibility. When he's not playing with the 5 & 6 year olds, Dillon enjoys hunting, fishing and restoring muscle cars.

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Fitness Instructors

Derek Kline

Tracey Clements

Certified Fitness Kickboxing Instructor CPR Certified First Aid Certified Married to Denise	Fitness Kickboxing Instructor CPR Certified

A pilot with U.S. Airways Express, Derek has a B.S. in Aviation Management. He has been with Fear Knot since joining the school’s martial arts program in 2001. A fitness instructor since 2002, Derek enjoys working with the Fitness Kickboxing members. His other interests include mixed martial arts training.	An adult parole officer with Dauphin County , Tracey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. As a Fitness Kickboxing instructor, she enjoys the people, the workouts and the fact that no one judges each other. With her son attending FEAR KNOT since 2003, Tracey likes being part of such a positive team. When she’s not working our members out, she is into staying fit by running and lifting weights.

Sharon Keeney		Michael Melendez
Fitness Kickboxing Instructor CPR Certified		Fitness Kickboxing Instructor Hi-red belt in Taekwondo

Attending Millersville University, Sharon has already earned an Associate of Liberal Arts in visual arts design. She is currently working toward her B.S. in Art Education. Sharon was working out at FEAR KNOT for about a year before she got the teaching bug in 2005. Now she loves the crowd! They're fun, friendly and energetic. Sharon's other loves are arts and crafts and spending time with her family.	A junior at Elizabethtown Area High School, Michael has been a student in FEAR KNOT's martial arts program since 2006. He decided to become a kickboxing instructor because he likes working with people and helping them better themselves. Besides the martial arts, Michael's interests include music, piano and scouts.

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School Locations

Elizabethtown	Lancaster	Middletown

4 South Market Street, Suite 101 Elizabethtown, PA 17022	1285 Manheim Pike Lancaster, PA 17601	2285 West Harrisburg Pike Middletown, PA 17057
711-361-9788	717-299-1077	717-944-3700

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Day Care Center Program Locations

The Goddard School	Ebenezer Child Care	The Goddard School

4955 Woodland Drive Enola, PA 17025	890 Ebenezer Road Middletown, PA 17057	5049 Ritter Road Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
(717) 728-3070	(717) 985-1650	(717) 766-7680

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Our school is a member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists.	FEAR KNOT is a member of the Inner Circle , a group of the top 20 school owners in the National Association of Professional Martial Artists that are dedicated to excellence in school operations.


Master Keith Wilkes was named as the NAPMA School Support Network Representative for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2003. The NSSN provides school operations advice and mentorship to NAPMA members.	Master Keith Wilkes received Instructor Certification by The American Council on Martial Arts in June, 2000.