Bio for this weeks Speaker 

 

A little departure from our Rotary Member Spotlight this week.

We are pleased to welcome as our speaker this week Sgt. Richard Ashkar of the New Jersey State Police. Rich grew up in Middletown and was graduated from Middletown South where he starred as a wrestler. He wrestled in Division 1 level at West Virginia University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He also received his Master of Science degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Rich was a Gold Medalist in the Pan American Games in 2012, and obtained his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2013. He fought professionally in MMA (cage fighting) for over 6 years with 6 wins and 2 loses.

He is a Self-Defense instructor for one of the largest law enforcement agencies on the east coast. He joined the New Jersey State Police 11 years ago and now serves as a training instructor at the academy in Sea Girt. Prior he has worked in most of the more dangerous cities in the country and knows how “force options” work in real time. He has taught members of the FBI, NYPD and countless other police departments.

Totally, Rich has over 21 years training in various martial arts and competed at the highest level in the Mixed Martial Arts.