The Museum Board Members

Michael Matsuda

Founder and President of the Martial Arts History Museum

As the founder and president of the Martial Arts History Museum since 1999, Michael Matsuda has established himself as a leading historian in the field. His extensive background includes serving as the founder and publisher of Martial Art Magazine and co-CEO of Martialinfo.com.

An accomplished author, he has published 10 books on martial arts history and produced 22 biographical videos. He also received an Emmy nomination as a producer for the El Rey TV series, “The Camacho Experiment.”

In addition to his work in martial arts, Michael has a diverse professional history. He was selected as one of the “Top 100 Producers in America” by Producer Magazine, managed the media departments for Blue Cross of California and Cal Fed Bank, and produced various events, including the San Fernando Valley Health Fair and the Starbash Vegas Convention.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business and associate degrees in journalism and design. Michael also spent three years at the American Film Institute studying film production and has attended numerous colleges, including USC and CSUN, for additional studies in marketing, design, computer programming, and public speaking. He has been studying the martial arts for 60 years and continues to teach the arts.

Art Camacho

Producer/Director

Director and film production president and author, Art Camacho, has been a dedicated board member of the museum since its earliest days. Known for directing over a dozen action films, he is also the head of his own production company. His work as a stunt coordinator for numerous productions and an Emmy nomination for the El Rey Network TV series “The Camacho Experiment” highlight his extensive expertise in the film industry.

Rafael Kosche

Martial Arts Supply Store Owner, History Channel Representative

As the owner and operator of Valley Martial Arts Supplies, one of the most influential martial arts supply companies in America, Kosche brings decades of industry experience to the board. Established in the 1970s, his company has been a key supplier to both the martial arts community and the Hollywood film industry. His expertise is further highlighted by his role as a representative for major television networks, including The History Channel, A&E, Ancient Aliens, and Auction Kings.

JD Bowles

President, iPRsoftware

A museum board member since 2011, Bowles has a distinguished career in media and marketing. He served as the Vice President of the Los Angeles Times for over a decade and was later appointed Vice President of the PR Newswire’s marketing network. Today, he is the President and CEO of iPR Software, a highly respected marketing company.

Fariborz Azhakh

President, Martialinfo.com, Team Karate Centers

A founding member of the museum, Azhakh has served on the board since 2012. He is the founder and CEO of Martialinfo.com, one of the largest martial arts websites globally. In addition, he is the chief instructor of one of the most successful and largest martial arts schools in Southern California.