Alex is a 3rd Degree Black Belt (SanDan) in Judo and Level I Certified Coach and Instructor with the United States Judo Association. Alex started his thirty-nine year Martial Arts career at the age of thirteen in Fort Myers, Florida. Alex received his Shodan (1st degree Black Belt) at the age of nineteen and his Sandan in 2013 from Sensei John Paccione, President of the USJA. Alex is also a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training and competing at Rebel Jiu Jitsu Under Professor Timothy H. Blackstone. Alex has been an active tournament player, coach and instructor in MN since 1994, and continues to actively compete medaling in statewide, regional, national and international tournaments, Including an AAU National Judo Title in 2005 and a World Masters Jiu Jitsu title in 2018. He has also coached his students in national competition at the 2003 Junior Olympics in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Alex is married and has two daughters (who both train). He lives in Chanhassen, MN and operates his own Web development and graphic design firm.