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DCA Capital in the News

September 7, 2006
Sacramento Business Journal -

Satori acquires Portland martial arts school

by Kelly Johnson, Staff writer

Kovars Satori Academy, the Carmichael-based chain of martial arts schools, has acquired a school in Portland, Ore., to launch a planned expansion into that metro area.

The chain, formerly known as Kovars, purchased Martial Arts Fitness Center Inc. on Sept. 1, Satori officials announced Thursday. Terms were not disclosed. As part of the transaction, Ron Schubert, head of Martial Arts Fitness, was appointed vice president of the Portland region and will lead Satori's expansion in the Portland area.

Satori hopes to open about five schools within three years in the Portland area, founder Dave Kovar said Thursday. Satori has previously said it is aiming for 150 locations companywide within five years.

In addition to being an experienced martial arts school operator and instructor, Schubert has a master's in business administration and substantial business experience outside of martial arts, Satori officials said.

Martial Arts Fitness has roughly 300 students and half a dozen staff members at its one location. The school, which opened more than a decade ago, will probably change its name to Satori next year.

"We have been working with Ron for over a year," said Tim Kovar, Satori founder and one of its owners, in a news release. "We were able to work with Ron in growing his school and, in doing so, saw the leadership qualities we look for in someone to head up a region for us. He leads by example and he and his staff are excellent martial artists who also provide high quality life-skills training. Additionally, they have the business and management capabilities to lead our organization's growth in the Portland region."

The acquisition brings Satori up to 19 locations and more than 4,000 students in Sacramento, San Francisco's East Bay, New York, New Jersey, and now Portland. Satori also sells instructional materials worldwide for martial arts schools and instructors.

Last week Satori appointed a new chief executive officer and board member, David Chamberlain, and added to its board Rich Fiechter, the president of Contractors Warehouse.