Instructors

The founder of National Karate Schools is John Worley. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Worley began his martial arts training in 1967 under the tutelage of Charles Loven and Texas karate legend Master Instructor J. Pat Burleson. Mr. Worley was promoted to first degree black belt in 1969 after he completed a testing conducted by a panel of several of America’s top martial arts instructors, including film star Chuck Norris.In May 2014, in a ceremony attended by hundreds of students, black belt holders, and friends, John Worley and Larry Carnahan were promoted to the rank of tenth degree black belt, Grand Master, by American martial arts pioneer J. Pat Burleson. Tenth degree is the highest rank attainable and marks the final milestone in lives dedicated to the practice, teaching and promotion of the martial arts in Minnesota.Mr. Worley started his teaching career in 1970 when he and his family left Texas to join the Jhoon Rhee Institute in Washington, D.C. Mr. Worley furthered his training under Grand Master Jhoon Rhee who, in 1958, introduced the Korean art of Tae Kwon Do to America. Mr. Worley spent three years under Mr. Rhee’s tutelage and in 1973, Mr. Worley was selected “Instructor of the Year” among all black belts in the Jhoon Rhee Institute system.In 1973, Mr. Worley relocated to the Twin Cities and opened his first martial arts school in Minnesota. From 1967 until his retirement from competition in 1976, Mr. Worley was an outstanding martial arts tournament participant. At the completion of his competitive career, Mr. Worley turned his full energy to training students and black belts and the National Karate organization has produced many nationally recognized martial arts athletes.In 1980, Mr. Worley was honored by Official Karate magazine by being named the “Legion of Honor” as one of North America’s leading martial arts instructors. From 1983 until 1989, Mr. Worley appeared on ESPN as the expert commentator on Karate and Kickboxing telecasts. Mr. Worley is in demand to conduct self-defense seminars for mid-west martial arts school owners.Mr. Worley and Master Instructor Larry Carnahan conduct the National Karate Schools black belt promotions and, along with other NK directors, develop curriculum and determine rank standards for National Karate.In addition, John Worley and partners Larry Carnahan and Bill Dunkley, own and operate JLB Productions, a promotions company which produces National Karate events and the Diamond National Karate Championships, America’s premier martial arts tournament.Mr. Worley and his wife, Patty, make their home in downtown Minneapolis, MN.

Jim Albertson was eighteen years old when he began his karate training in January of 1979. He was promoted to first degree black belt by John Worley and Larry Carnahan in July 1981. He began teaching that same year and in 1984 opened his first National Karate School in Burnsville. His dedication to excellence earned Mr. Albertson the position of National Karate Director, along with NK Master Instructors Mr. Worley and Mr. Carnahan. Mr. Albertson was promoted to seventh degree black belt in 2007. He currently owns four NK schools in the metro area. Mr. Albertson has the distinction of winning National Karate’s overall top male competitor title three times, and has won many Grand Championships both in form and in sparring. In 1991, Mr. Albertson represented the United States in team kickboxing in London, England. He has competed in every Diamond Nationals since 1979, the tournament’s second year. Mr. Albertson’s dedication and self-discipline have benefited other areas of his life. He has been a swimmer since high school and began running in 1981 to get into shape for his black belt test. He expanded his training to bicycling, and competed in his first triathlon in 1985. Since then, he has competed in approximately 60 triathlons. In addition, Mr. Albertson has also run three marathons and is an avid snowmobile racer. Many of National Karate’s top black belt holders and competitors were trained under Mr. Albertson’s direction, including 1994 Diamond Nationals Black Belt Form Team Grand Champions, James Quinn and Nathan Gallup. Mr. Albertson is responsible for conducting advanced testing and black belt screenings and plays in integral part in maintaining the National Karate standards for advanced and black belt students. He and his wife Kim, who holds a fourth degree black belt, and their four children make their home in Apple Valley, Minnesota.