James Bailey (8th Degree Black belt)

GM Bailey has studied Taekwondo and other Korean Martial Arts thirty years and has been professionally teaching for twenty-eight. His first teaching experience began in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1981, he moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he operates three ITA academies. GM Bailey has instructed thousands of students including Police, SRT Teams and atheletes from the University of Alabama. Seventeen of GM Baileys students have followed in his footsteps, opening ITA academies of their own. He operates academies in Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Columbus, Georgia; and Kansas City, Kansas. GM Bailey was awarded 2007 Entrepreneur of the Year. He is a 7th Degree Black Belt and holds certifications in Taekwondo, HanMuDo, Korean Sword, CDT (Non Deadly Force and Personal Safety Courses), MED Monadnock Advanced Police Baton, Tactical Short Stick (Joong Bong), Ground Escape, ADDHD course completion studies,Kid-Grappling and Wolfpack Brazilian Grappling.

GM Bailey serves on the Board of Directors for the International Taekwondo Alliance. He has trained formally throughout his career with his instructor Grand Master Craig Kollars. He has trained throughout his career as a formal student or through seminars with Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee, GM Soon Ho Lee, GM Jee Ho Lee, GM Yun Sung Kang, GM He-Young Kimm, GM Art Monroe, GM Bert Kollars and other ITA Masters. GM Bailey considered it a privilege to train in Korea with Grand Masters of many different martial arts.

"What made this such a special experience was the opportunity to train and tour Korea with many longtime ITA friends and students!"

GM Bailey is very active in his community. His academies have raised thousands of dollars for charities and scholarships. "Each of our academies adopts a local elementary school and pledges financial and physical support to the teachers and administrators."
GM Bailey is happily married to his wife of 22 years, Kelly. He has two sons: BJ, 21, and Tyler, 19.