Stephen Oliver began training in martial arts in 1969 with the Jhoon Rhee Institute in their branch in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His instructors were Bob Olinghouse, Gran Moulder, and David Harrelson - all Black Belts under
Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee.
In 1976 he first started training at the Jhoon Rhee Headquarters with Jeff Smith, Larry Carnahan, John Chung and other Jhoon Rhee Institute Black Belts. In 1978 he returned to train for the summer with Jeff Smith (World Light-Heavyweight PKA Champion) and then tested for his Black Belt with Jhoon Rhee and the entire Jhoon Rhee Institute Staff of Black Belts (which included Charlie Lee,
John Chung, Jeff Smith, Michael Coles, and many other well-know martial arts celebrities). He then returned in 1980 to attend Georgetown University and to work full-time as a head instructor then branch manager for the Jhoon Rhee Institute.
Upon Graduating with Honor's (Cum Laude) from Georgetown University in 1982 - with a degree in International Economics he moved to Denver - with Jhoon Rhee's blessing and support to open the first Mile High Karate school - in August of 1983.
Mile High Karate began a meteoric rise in the industry - and, grew to five schools within 18 months and 1,500 active students.
In the mid-1980's he was invited to join the Board of Director's of Educational Funding Company - and, began teaching and consulting for schools throughout North America on school operations and teaching methods. He continued to serve on the Board of Director's of Educational Funding Company until the fall of 2001.
In 1989 he founded the Mile High Karate Classic martial arts tournament - which was one of the highest rated (NASKA "AAA") events in the Western United States and one of the top martial arts competitive events in the world. He went on to serve on the Board of Directors of the North American Sport Karate Association and became Sanctioning Director - responsible for rating World Tour and National Tournaments and for quality control of 
the martial arts events. He promoted the Mile High Karate Classic for 10 years from 1989 until 1999 and served on the Board of Directors of NASKA for that same period of time.
He has also been a key supporter of Chuck Norris' Kick Drugs Out of America Program and Mile High Karate has raised over $50,000.00 to help fund their program - and through Educational Funding Company's efforts has been partially responsible for over $500,000.00 for Kick Drugs Out of America.
Chuck Norris visited the Arvada Mile High Karate school during his national tour for the movie "Sidekicks."
Subsequently
Grandmaster Oliver trained with Master Norris at his ranch in Texas then helped coordinate his efforts with Educational Funding Company.
Stephen Oliver was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt by Jhoon Rhee in August of 1978 and to 6th Degree Black Belt by Grand Master Jhoon Rhee in 1994. More recently he was recognized as a 7th Degree Black Belt by his instructor Jeff Smith in 2001. In 2006 he was promoted by Jeff Smith to 8th Degree Black Belt.
Grandmaster Oliver has been repeatedly recognized internationally for his contributions to the martial arts industry and continues to grow the Mile High Karate organization while teaching schools internationally to be more effective in their teaching and management practices.
Stephen Oliver was promoted to 1st Degree Black Belt by Jhoon Rhee in August of 1978 and to 6th Degree Black Belt by Grand Master Jhoon Rhee in 1994. More recently he was recognized as a
8th Degree Black Belt by his instructor Jeff
Smith in 2006.
Grandmaster Oliver has been repeatedly recognized internationally for his contributions to the martial arts industry and continues to grow the Mile High Karate organization while teaching schools internationally to be more effective in their teaching and management practices.
Back to Home Page
