Jerry is the owner and lead trainer at LEO Defense Systems, bringing a diverse professional background to his role. He began his career as a secondary education teacher after earning a bachelor’s degree in Human Ecology from the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2004, he transitioned to the private sector, managing and owning several restaurants. In 2008, Jerry entered the law enforcement profession, where his prior experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) provided unique insights into police use-of-force training and application. By 2009, he was appointed lead defensive tactics instructor for his department and currently serves as a police lieutenant overseeing a regional specialty unit. Jerry holds a 3rd-degree black belt in BJJ under world champion Marcos Torregrosa and has personally promoted over 100 police officers to the rank of blue belt or higher.
His extensive law enforcement experience includes roles such as Drug Recognition Expert Instructor, Undercover Combatives Instructor, and Use of Force Expert. Jerry has been recognized with several awards, including the Red Cross Law Enforcement Hero of the Year (2009) and a nomination for ILEETA Instructor of the Year. In the BJJ community, he is an IBJJF-certified multiple-time medalist at the black belt level and has competed in events like Fight to Win. As a co-founder of LEO Defense Systems and co-owner of Komainu Gym, Jerry brings a comprehensive understanding of various training modalities, significantly contributing to the mission of Warriors Always Ready (WARinc).