Head Instructor and Founder of Lake Ridge Family Martial Arts, LLC. – Started Martial Arts (TKD 1973, & TSD 1978) has over 45 years of training and 35 years of teaching. His background includes Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Karate, Filipino martial arts, and boxing. He is a two-time ISKA (International Sport Karate Association) World Champion in Lightweight Power Breaking and the only Triple Crown (U.S. Open World, North America, United States Champion) Power Breaking Champion. He holds 7 world ISKA titles. He has been televised on ESPN2 (2002-2010). In addition, he was a member of the World Martial Arts Team Bergamo Schick Quattro from 2000-2013 and was televised on Good Morning LA, and the Late-Night Show with David Letterman. GM Velez also holds the world record (2008) for the most concrete patio blocks broken by elbow strike. The record is 16 patio blocks (2x8x16). He has achieved a level of 7th degree Black Belt earning the title, Grand Master Instructor. He is the founder of the Lake Ridge Family Martial Arts, LLC in Woodbridge, Virginia. Also, he is Co-Founder of American Tang Soo Do Union. GM Velez main interest is teaching families, children and adults.

His undergraduate studies include degrees in General Science, Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor (A.S.), B.S. (Human Services) Psychology, M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Prior to his relocation to Northern Virginia in 2010, he was employed by Yale University as a Research Assistance followed by Yale Psychiatric Hospital where his role was Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Alcohol Counselor. GM Velez has been a professional in the mental health care system for 25 years.

On 2019, GM Velez-Rivera was inducted into the Action Martial Arts Magazine & Hall of Honor (The Largest and One of the Most Prestigious & Elite Martial Arts Hall of Honor’s in the World) for his (Platinum Lifetime) Contributions of The Martial Arts and into the Masters of the Martial Arts at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City.