Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of PMA and other Martial Arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of Premier Martial Arts - Tampa's instructors and other staff members, starting with Stephen Del Castillo:

Stephen Del Castillo  (Master Instructor)  Stephen Del Castillo began his training in the Martial Arts at the age of 13. He started with American Karate and then earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1986. Shortly after that he joined the US Army and shipped off for Basic Training and Airborne School at Ft. Benning,GA. He settled down in Fayetteville,NC for a stint with the 82nd Airborne Division. Between deployments Stephen continued his love of the Martial Arts, studying Chinese Kenpo. In 1989, Stephen won an Army “Green to Gold Scholarship” and the Army sent him to the University of Tampa to earn his college degree and train for a military Commission. During the three years that he spent at the University, Stephen not only completed a Dual Major Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Communications, but also operated his first Tae Kwon Do school, Spartan Tae Kwon Do, from the University’s McNiff Activity Center. Upon receiving his commission in May of 1992, then 2nd Lieutenant Del Castillo proceeded to a three-year tour in Germany. During this time he studied Aikido for a short stint and then Jeet Kune Do for the majority of the tour; a system that he thoroughly enjoyed for its flexibility and effectiveness. He would later make Jeet Kune Do a fundamental element of his curriculum. While in Germany Lieutenant Del Castillo also worked on a Master’s Degree in counseling and psychotherapy with the University of Maryland’s European Campus. He was especially fascinated with his studies into Child Psychology and that study would later become paramount in the development of his children’s' programs at the Daimyo Martial Arts Academy and now at Steve Del Castillo's Premier Martial Arts. First Lieutenant Del Castillo spent his next five years in Bayonne, New Jersey, first as a Military Planner for the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) and then as the Chief of Operations for the 1301st Major Port Command. By this time Shihan Del Castillo really appreciated the value of cross training in the Martial Arts. He studied Muy Thai, Zen Shi Do and other Karate styles with different instructors in New Jersey. He began experimenting with linking styles and applying Jeet Kune Do concepts to his martial arts and also regularly traveled into New York to study Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with Renzo Gracie. Captain Del Castillo left active military service and started Daimyo Martial Arts in October of 2000. Shihan Steve built his school and developed his art over the next two years and made Daimyo Martial Arts a known and respected name in Pasco County and throughout the martial arts community. Shihan Steve was awarded his Yodan (4th Degree) August 20, 2002. This was the same year that the World Head of Family Sokeship Council recognized Daimyo progressive Karate, and Daimyo Martial Arts was awarded the Best Regional Martial Arts School by the same prestigious organization. In 2003, Shihan Del Castillo attended Blackbelt Schools International Instructor College and became a BBSI certified Instructor. In the same year, the World Head of Family Sokeship Council also honored him as the Master Instructor of the Year. Shihan Steve allied with fledgling Premier Martial Arts in 2005 to offer an even better quality of experience at his academies and to help catapult the organization to the leader in the martial arts industry that it is today. Premier Martial Arts offers the best curriculum, support, and program on the market; consistent with the history of Steve Del Castillo and his Daimyo Martial Arts. Shihan Steve has continued his growth and development, participating in the Ultimate Blackbelt Test (UBBT) and training and promoting in Arnis and Brazilian Jiujitsu as well as becoming the area’s leader and resident instructor of Krav Maga. Shihan Steve is a certified Krav Maga Master Instructor whom has grown in that system over the last six years and continues his training under both Ernie Kirk in Philadelphia and International Krav Maga Federation Head Instructor Eyal Yanilov, from Israel. Today, Steve regards Krav Maga as his primary system and it is the style he teaches and trains in at his Premier Martial Arts and Tampa Krav Maga location in Land O’ Lakes, FL. Shihan Steve was promoted to Godan, 5th Degree Blackbelt, in Premier Martial Arts, received his Krav Maga Master certification and earned his Brazilian Jiujitsu Blackbelt this year (he trains as a student in the BJJ program taught by Ryan Diechert at Premier Martial Arts. The consummate teacher, Shihan Steve believes it is also imperative to be the consummate student. Shihan Del Castillo has three children. Harley, 8, is an active member of the Blackbelt Training Course and loves the bo. Diego, 6, is in the Blackbelt Little Champions and Winston, 3, is just getting started. He is happily married to Mrs. Barbara Del Castillo, whom also helps run the school. His life missions are to be a great Christian, empower lives through his martial arts instruction and to and leave a legacy for the children that he loves. "One of my favorite quotes is from Winston Churchill: "Never, never, never quit." I believe perseverance and tenacity to be the most important thing, in combat or in life. The Lord has shown me that every storm is a school and the secret is to learn the lesson so we don’t have to take the same tests over again and again. Stephen Del Castillo

Steve Faison  (PMA Head Instructor)  Steven Faison is an accomplished Martial Artist who was introduced to martial arts in Virginia at an early age in the style of kickboxing. Due to moving around in foster homes wasn’t able to continue his training until the age of 16, with Shihan Stephen Delcastillo. Through his training and mentorship under Shihan Delcastillo and other instructors he now holds a 3rd degree blackbelt in Premier Martial Arts, and has trained in the styles of Krav Maga, Jeet Kune Do, Brazillian Jui Jitsu, Boxing, Muay Thai Kicboxing, offensive and defensive weapons training, Aikido, and Tae Kwon Do. Steven is currently the Head Instructor of Premier Martial Arts and Tampa Krav Maga, and is also the Combat Conditioning and Nutrition Instructor. He is a walking example of the benefits of the life skills training given through Premier Martial Arts and a walking testimonial to the mission of empowering lives through martial art. Steven now passionately passes on what he has learned to all of his students in Premier Martial Arts Tampa, and has a goal to touch as many lives as possible through the Martial Arts. He continues to train hard and is always learning to grow stronger physically as well as mentally. Steven has and continues to compete in full contact kickboxing matches as well as Jui Jitsu tournaments. He currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jui Jitsu under Ryan Deichert, and is also an advance level student in Krav Maga under Steve Delcastillo. Of all the styles that he has trained in, he has really taken a liking to Krav Maga. He is currently one of the Krav Maga instructors and continues to train and travel regularly to learn from some of the top Instructors. He is also one of the instructors for the well known Tampa Krav Maga Camps held two times a year in the Withlacoochee Forrest. Steven has a passion for the martial arts and enjoys staying in top shape and helping others reach goals physically and mentally as well.  Register for your VIP Intro to see how we can empower your life too!

Matt Brewster  (Senior Instructor) Matt Brewster began his training at the age of 11. His first style was a traditional and hard system called Ryu Kyu Kempo; a traditional and hard style from the island of Okinawa. After 6 months of training he decided that this style was not for him and decided to leave. After several years off he decided that he wanted to get back to training so at the age of 14 he started training in Goshin Jujustu. While training in Jujutsu for almost 2 years he decided to cross-train in Tracy/Parker Kenpo Karate and Shoot Fighting. Matt relocated to Florida with his family in 2001 and found a small dojo called Daimyo Martial Arts. He began his training under Shihan Steve Del Castillo in July of 2001. As a student at Daimyo, now Premier Martial Arts, Matt has trained in Progressive Karate, Jeet Kune Do, Aikido, Arnis and Krav Maga. He started teaching as an apprentice instructor under Shihan Steve in 2003 and has now climbed the ranks and is a full instructor plus the Head Instructor of the Premeir Krav Maga program. Matt is certified by Shihan Del Castillo, Blackbelt Schools International and Krav Maga International. Matt continues to train in Karate, Seiikan Jujitsu and Krav Maga. He hopes to test for his Nidan "Second Degree" at the end of the year.

Amber Staklinski  (Instructor)  Amber Staklinski started training in 1996 under Master Bill Mailman in Shaolin Kempo. She made it to the rank of 1st brown- Ikkyu. She moved to Florida in 1998 and trained in various Martial Arts schools until she decided to train in American Tae Kwon Do. She trained under Mr. Tim Lay and tested for her Nidan in 2004. Realizing Tae Kwon Do wasn’t the best for her, Amber tried Kung Fu but wasn’t impressed. Soon after, she found Daimyo Martial Arts and trained in Krav Maga. About 6 months later she was invited to train under Shihan Steve Del Castillo to become an instructor. She was certified as an instructor in 2005 and tested for her Nidan in Premier Martial Arts in June of 2006.

Ron Hall  (Instructor) Ron Hall has numerous credentials and accomplishments. We will be updating this section shortly to detail them.

Jonathan Grimaldi  (Instructor)  Jon Grimaldi started training almost four years ago at Daimyo Martial Arts. Since then, he has trained extensively and successfully into the Premier Martial Arts system. Jon is also a big proponent of Krav Maga, agreeing that it is one of the most useful and modern systems around. He currently holds a Shodan-Ho and will be testing for the rank of Shodan in June, along with his brother Chris who is testing for Shodan-Ho.

Barbara Jo Del Castillo (Business Manager) Barbara Jo is Shihan Steve's wife and runs the customer service and business support functions of Premier Martial Arts.  Her daughter, Heather,  is a Blackbelt of the program and her son Michael trains as well.  Barbara's life mission is supporting Steve's mission of empowering lives through martial art.

Ryan Deichert (BJJ Head Instructor) Ryan Deichert has been studying and training Jiu Jitsu for over 15 years. He began his training in Philadelphia and then decided to move to Los Angeles to train with legendary Royce Gracie at the Gracie Academy in Torrance, CA. For 6 years, Ryan participated in a very rigorous teacher training program at the Gracie Academy with Grand Master Helio Gracie.To augment his training Ryan trained with other well-known BJJ artists in the LA area. During his time at the Gracie Academy, Ryan won several tournaments and in-house competitions. Currently, he lives in Tampa, Florida and is the Head Instructor of Tampa Jiu-Jitsu and the BJJ program at Premier Martial Arts. He is a good friend with Shihan Steve, whom also trains Jiujitsu with him. Ryan is a Balance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt under Phil Migliarese. His classes are professional and well-organized, allowing for maximum learning and progress for each student. Jeff Anderson (Krav Maga Satellite Program Manager) Jeff Anderson is a certified instructor under Shihan Steve Del Castillo. Jeff is a graduate of the Krav Maga intensive training camp. Recently, he passed a demanding training curriculum and earned a blue belt status. Additionally, Jeff is a senior student of the Tampa Krav Maga instructor apprentice program. Jeff attends quarterly corporate leadership instructor training. Prior to Shihan Steve's program, Jeff trained under Shihan Jack Bolowskie, another Krav Maga black belt instructor. Jeff has trained and earned instructor certifications for other Israeli combat techniques such as Krav Maga Worldwide Instructor Certification Phase A and HaganaH. As a result of Jeff's dedication and commitment to Krav Maga, Jeff has been selected to manage the Tampa Krav Maga's new satellite program.