Wesley Manko is the founder and president of DEFENSEWORKS.
He began studying martial arts in 1973 and his journey has led him to obtain
experience in Police Defensive Tactics, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, Fencing, Boxing,
Chin-Na, Tai Chi Chuan, Aiki-Jitsu, Chinese Kempo, Ryu Kyu Kempo, Kyusho-Jitsu, Combat Hapkido and Systema.
His passion for teaching self-defense was ignited when he assisted in the
instruction of Police Defensive Tactics and Women's Self-Defense at Gateway
Technical College in 1977. In the 1980's, he wrote and self published a book
called The Women's Guide to Practical Self-Defense as a text for courses he taught at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin.
While earning his credentials, he had the opportunity to work in a variety
of investigative, training and social service professions. It wasn't until a chance meeting
with Rev. Chris Thomas that the idea for DEFENSEWORKS was born.
His unique background allows him the opportunity to combine his knowledge of self-defense with an academic background
consisting of an Associate Degree in Police Science, a Bachelors' Degree
in Criminal Justice and a Masters' Degree in Public Administration to produce
a solid reality based approach to speaking and training. In other words,
teaching the stuff that works.
