Mr. Perna always had an interest in self defense.  As a career New Jersey Trooper, he was taught boxing and self defense tactics at the Academy, and became a Firearms, Use of Force and PR-24 Instructor.  He became interested in Martial Arts when he was assigned to work for a supervisor who was a 4th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, who initially trained and received his black belt in South Korea.  In 1995,   while working out at Dan Iacavone’s Fitness Factory in Sewell,  Bill met Sensei Salvatore Lopresti, who began to tell him of the benefits of Shotokan Karate.  This repeated “harassment” by Sensei Lopresti resulted with Bill enrolling in a free two week trial.  After that, he was hooked. Under the guidance of Sensei Salvatore Lopresti, Sensei Steve Montgomery, and Sensei Paul Lopresti,  Bill obtained the rank of  Shodan on November2003. He is thankful for the knowledge and discipline that Shotokan has brought to his life and looks forward to continuing this journey.