Snake River Aikido Instructors
Aikido classes are taught by Mike Cardwell chief instuctor, Leroy Cole, and Krista Roland-Mohon, under the direction of Bill Plank Sensei, Rokudan (6th degree black belt).
Michael Cardwell - Sandan (3nd degree blackbelt)
Michael Cardwell started his training in Aikido under Frank Roberto Sensei at Eastern Idaho Technical College in 1999. He trained under Roberto Sensei for the next 13 years, and in 2010 became the first student at Snake River Aikido to earn their blackbelt directly from Roberto Sensei. In 2012 Mike assumed the role as Dojo Cho of Snake River Aikido, after Roberto Sensei moved out of state for his job.
In 2022 Mike received his Sandan from Clyde Takaguchi Sensei. He is currently the chief instructor at Snake River Aikido, where he co-teaches with Leroy and Krista. Mike was married in 2011 and lives in Idaho Falls with his Wife, dog and cat.
Leroy Cole - Sandan (3nd degree blackbelt)
Brandon "Leroy" Cole started training in Aikido under Frank Roberto Sensei at Eastern Idaho Technical College in 1993. In 1995 he joined the US Air Force and moved to South Carolina where he continued to train as a ronin until he left the USAF and came back to Idaho Falls and rejoined the dojo in 1999.
In 2016, Leroy joined the Capital Aikido Federation with Clyde Takaguchi and Bill Plank. In 2022 Leroy received his Sandan from Clyde Takaguchi Sensei.
Leroy has been married since 1994 and has two children. He is a veteran of foreign wars in the USAF from his service in Kuwait.
Krista Roland-Mohon - Sandan (3nd degree blackbelt)
Krista Roland-Mohon began Aikido training in early 2005. Since 2011, she frequently travels to Chicago to train as a live in student under Andrew Sato Sensei, chief instructor of the AWA. She is currently ranked Sandan from Aikikai the world headquarters in Japan.
Krista is interested in Aikido philosophy and how it relates to life inside and outside the dojo. She also enjoys teaching energetic classes.
