Nick Masi

Lead Instructor, Herndon, VA

Nick Masi has been teaching Krav Maga in the Washington, DC area since 2004. He began his training in 2003 after completing graduate school in California. He was a natural and within a year, was an assistant instructor leading classes at a number of different locations.

In 2008, Nick traveled to Berkeley, CA for the IKMF US Instructor’s Course with Eyal Yanilov, a first of its kind event in the United States. Nick is one of the very few instructors in the DC metro area to complete his instructor training personally with Eyal (who is now head of Krav Maga Global – KMG, the highest ranked practitioner in the world, and the leading voice of modern Krav Maga).

After training in Israel with Eyal and the KMG Global Team, Nick received the rank of G5 (Graduate 5) making him one of the highest ranked instructors on the East Coast. He is also a Regional Representative for Krav Maga Global, assisting with the development of instructors and schools in the Northeast.

Nick began his Shuai-chiao training and earned his 2nd degree black belt under Dr. Chi-hsiu Daniel Weng in Cupertino, CA. A strong competitor, Nick has medaled consistently and placed first in the 2005 & 2006 National Championships. He has also represented the United States in competitions in Brazil, Italy, China, and Taiwan. Nick started the Northern Virginia Shuai-chiao Club in 2007 to teach and spread the art.

Jonathan Levy

Lead Instructor, Chevy Chase, MD

Jonathan Levy successfully completed his Krav Maga Instructor course with Eyal Yanilov (assisted by Amnon Darsa) in 2001/2002. While living in Israel, he trained extensively with KM black belts at Gabi Noah's studio, and has traveled abroad to continue his KM education (Budapest, Melbourne). He currently holds the rank of Graduate 4, awarded by Eyal.

William Allen

Senior Instructor, Herndon, VA

Terry H.

Senior Instructor, Herndon, VA

Cassie Clifford

Assistant Instructor and Manager, Herndon, VA

Cassie first walked through the First Defense doors two years ago where she instantly fell in love with Krav Maga. Her passion, dedication and shared interest in giving back to the community were quickly noticed by owner and Head Instructor Nick Masi.

Cassie has completed parts 1 and 2 of the Krav Maga Global (KMG) General Instructors Course, and plans to take part 3 in 2013 to become a fully certified KMG Instructor. At current in addition to assisting classes at the school, Cassie continues to train hard for her own personal advancement and help others enjoy the benefits of Krav Maga.

After serving as a nanny and working with special needs adults and children for over a decade, Cassie has both the discipline and passion -combined with her personal training, to excel as a Krav Maga Youth Instructor.

Paul Apostolescu

Assistant Instructor, Herndon, VA

Omar Jones

Assistant Instructor, Herndon, VA

Henoch Otero

Guest Instructor

Henoch Otero is a 21-year veteran of the New York City Police Department with Martial Arts and Self Defense training in Boxing, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Martial Arts, Muay Thai Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Krav Maga. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Henoch began boxing in 1979 at the age of 9. He then went on to study Jeet Kune Do at the age of 17. From there, he transitioned into many other areas of Martial Arts and Self Defense as he trained continually over the next three decades.

In the mid-1990's, looking to expand his training into an area that would apply self defense tactics to law enforcement strategies, Henoch began training in Krav Maga and earned the title of World Wide Krav Maga Lead Law Enforcement Instructor.

In order to increase the effectiveness of his teaching, Henoch began training with Eyal Yanilov of International Krav Maga Federation. He earned full instructor status in Krav Maga Global. After three and a half years of teaching self defense tactics to other officers, Henoch joined the NYPD's Emergency Services Unit. where he became a detective where he spent the remainder of his law enforcement career, until he retired in 2012 at the age of 42.