SAMMY PEJO
MASTER
Executive Director
Strategic Planning – Operations – Budgeting – Personnel – Program Management & Improvement
Created $15 million economic impact for Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships host city
Launched annual Board Break-A-Thon that raises $30,000 per year on average for local organizations, including Children’s Hospital Colorado, The Home Front Cares, and TESSA of Colorado Springs.
Provided business insight to target and expand organization from 3 locations to 5, with more than 1,200 active students and 32 full- and part-time staff.
Nurtured international relationships through the US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang, including Taekwondo Associations in Mexico, Belgium, Tahiti, Canada, Jordan, Indonesia and China.
Mentored next generation of taekwondo leaders and event organizers.
Guide planning and management of US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang (1,300+ international participants), USTC Masters Challenge (500+ state participants).
Served as National Events Director for US Taekwondo Union (USA Taekwondo).
Protected athletes’ rights during arbitrations as Athlete Advisory Council Chairman.
Navigated NGB challenges and opportunities as US Taekwondo Union Executive Council Member and USA Taekwondo Board Member.
Experience
Pejo Taekwondo, Inc (US Taekwondo Center), Colorado Springs, CO
Technical Director, 2003-Present / Owner, 2013-Present
Oversee design, delivery, and evaluation of developmental programs for first-time athletes through national-level participants in traditional Taekwondo setting. Cultivate and maintain sponsor relationships for all 5 operating locations and for annual events – US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang, Masters Challenge, and Board Break-A-Thon. Lead team building and staff development for 32 full-time and part-time staff. Implement and evaluate processes and procedures to ensure high quality operations at each location. Forecast, review, and execute annual budgets.
Defined strategic vision and led planning for organization-wide growth expansion; drove negotiations to secure expansion to 4th and 5th locations.
Streamlined curriculum to improve enrollment and retention rates 30%.
Identified need to develop higher-lever Dan programs to demonstrate value of life-long Taekwondo practice.
Shifted operational focus from competition to character development to foster deeper student commitment and to encourage full family participation.
Created annual fundraising event that has increased participation for 10 years to benefit local organizations.
Developed relationships with local elementary schools to offer After-School Taekwondo Enrichment Fundraising Program, leading to $25,000 raised over 5 years.
Coordinated planning and delivery of community events, including Free Safety Day and Women’s Safety Awareness and Survival programs.
US Taekwondo Grandmasters Society Coach of the Year Award, 2017
US Open Taekwondo Hanmadang, Colorado Springs, CO
Vice Chairman, Organizing Committee, 2012-Present
Coordinate efforts of 83-member Organizing Committee and 100 volunteers to plan and manage international sports festival that allows non-sparring athletes to showcase skills in traditional forms, creative forms, creative board breaking, power breaking, and demonstration team events.
Delivered successful events annually that led to increase from 700 participants to 1,300 participants in 4 years.
Secured sponsor relationships with KIA Motors, Microsoft, Sports Authority, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, El Pomar Foundation, and Vision.
Negotiated 2015 appearance by Nia Sanchez, Miss USA 2014.
USA Taekwondo (US Taekwondo Union), Colorado Springs, CO
Coach, 1995-2003
Coached 20+ national team athletes to medal podiums at multiple World Taekwondo Association tournaments. Maintained 40% of National Team Members from Olympic Training Center’s Resident Athlete Program. Sustained athlete pipeline by coaching 25 US Collegiate Team members to earn US National Team selections. Planned and delivered development camps for US Olympic Training Center athletes. Presented coaching techniques and philosophies at national seminars.
Named Developmental Coach of the Year by the US Olympic Committee in 2002 and earned Best Coach Award at 2003 Junior Pan Am Taekwondo Championships.
National Events Director, 1998-2000
Organized Junior Olympic Taekwondo Championships for 5,000+ athletes, 1,500 coaches, and 120 referees – the world’s largest Taekwondo event. Managed 12 staff and 150 volunteers during week-long event. Oversaw all event logistics, including hotel negotiations, participant registration, transportation, and local organizing committee support.
Organized US Open Taekwondo Championships and Pan American Regional Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Identified opportunity to increase participation for age groups 33 and older at National Championships.
Streamlined participant registration software which became model for future online registration systems.
Delivered $15 million economic impact for host city.
Education & Professional Development
Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY
Bachelor of Arts, Spanish, 1994
US Fighting Systems
Certified Instructor (Conflict Avoidance and Resolution), 2015
Kukkiwon International Taekwondo
6th Degree Black Belt, 2015
Certified Hanmadang Referee, 2008-Present
3rd Class Master Instructor, 2009-Present
USA Taekwondo (US Taekwondo Union)
Licensed Master Instructor, 2004
World Taekwondo Federation
Certified International Coach, 2003
Competitive Highlights
US Olympic Committee, Colorado Springs, CO
Developmental Coach of the Year, 2002
US Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, CO
Permanent Resident Athlete, 1991-1995
Pan American Games
Team Member, 1991 and 1995
Silver Medal, 1995
US National Taekwondo
Team Member, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995
Team Captain in 1994 and 1995
World University Taekwondo Championships
Gold Medal, 1990
Additional Event Experience
Rocky Mountain State Games, Colorado Springs, CO
Commissioner, Sport of Taekwondo, 2011-Present
World Taekwondo Hanmadang, Anaheim, CA
Assistant Director of Operations, 2008
5th US Open Taekwondo Championships, Colorado Springs, CO
Event Coordinator, 1997
22nd US National Taekwondo Championships, Colorado Springs, CO
Chairman of Local Organizing Committee, 1996
4th US Open Taekwondo Championships, Colorado Springs, CO
Chairman of Local Organizing Committee, 1996
Board Participation
USA Taekwondo (US Taekwondo Union), Colorado Springs, CO
Chairman, Athletes Advisory Council, 2001-2004
National Referee Committee 2000-2004
Executive Committee, 1997-2004
Secretary, Athletes Advisory Council, 1997-2000
National Training Committee, 1997-2000
Collegiate Committee, 1997-2000
Junior Olympic Committee, 1997-2000
Eligibility Committee, 1995-1996
Garden Ranch YMCA, Colorado Springs, CO
Advisory Board
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