CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - Carmichael Martial Arts entrepreneur Dave Kovar will be honored as Person of the Year at an April 1 gala. The Chamber of Commerce award recognizes not just business success but Kovar’s zeal to motivate young people toward self-improvement.

His story is one of local legend. The main street block occupied by his business is locally called Kovar’s Corner. “The County once gave me a sign to that effect,” recalls the owner. “Unfortunately, it got stolen.”

Heading one of the nation’s biggest martial arts corporations, Kovar (62) has 13 studios, including eight in Sacramento. Kovar’s Satori Academy instruction also packs a wallop in New York and New Jersey.

One of a clergyman’s three kids, young Dave aspired early to be tough. “With my red hair, I looked more like Danny Partridge than Rocky Balboa,” he laughs. “At 11, I saw a poster of a guy doing a flying side-kick. I immediately started learning karate.” After Sacramento Waldorf School, he graduated to house-painting and borrowed family money to begin a karate school in North Highlands. “With six students, I could barely pay the rent,” he admits. “I sold out after four years. By day, I painted houses. By night, I went to business school and taught karate at other people’s studios.

“One day I found a place for rent in Carmichael. I was covered in freckles and house paint and the landlord asked why I thought karate might succeed in Carmichael. I’d just done a business class paper on how to start a karate school.  I grabbed the assignment from my car and showed it to him. He gave me a one-year lease. The ‘Karate Kid’ movie had just come out. Talk about providence. Kids were suddenly lining up to learn.”

His affinity with students has Kovar schools rated among top children’s instruction resources worldwide. But teaching genius does not always extend to bottom lines. “If I hadn’t brought my brother Tim on board in 1987, I’d still be painting houses,” he reasons. “Tim balanced my weakness. He’s the real reason we succeeded.” (Tim Kovar has retired; current CEO Dave Chamberlain will introduce his boss at the awards banquet). “My CEO does an amazing job leading our company,” notes Kovar.  “I just hope he’ll find something nice to say about me.”

Few careers avoid hiccups. Rebranded “Kovar’s Satori Academy,” his corporation invested big in 2004 and aimed for nation-wide dominance. The move proved over-ambitious. Undaunted, the company licked its wounds, paid off big debts and consolidated its base. Kovar also channeled skills into instructing other martial art teachers. He is now internationally sought as a business and youth motivational speaker.

“Satori is a Japanese term for being at your best in any specific moment,” explains the mentor. “Martial arts is not about being tough. It’s about personal development. It teaches self-control, responsibility and doing what is right. Kicking tail is a just a side effect. I’m totally against fighting"'unless you have to defend yourself"'then I’m totally for it.”

Kovar has been wed 35 years to fellow black-belter Angelina Kovar; the couple has two black-belt karate kids. Their dad has also been a parental figure to many thousands of students. “My studio’s taught one in ten Carmichael kids,” he estimates. “When I speak at school assemblies, teachers always greet me. They tell me how my studio changed – sometimes even saved"'their lives.

“The Person of the Year honor makes me proud but it’s as much for my team as for me. These guys have always stood by me. They’re wise beyond their years. We’re all focusing on making the world a better place by empowering people of all ages to contribute to society.”  

Other 2022 Chamber of Commerce honorees include:

Dentist Gabrielle Rasi (Businesswoman of the Year); Publisher Paul Scholl (Businessman of the Year); Sharon Ruffner (Volunteer of the Year). Community Service awards go to Scott Young of Carmichael HART and Leonora Lee of Kaiser Permanente. Non-profit of the Year is Carmichael Parks Foundation; SMUD is named Business of the Year. Good Day Sacramento anchor Tina Macuha will MC the program.

Anyone may attend the April 1 event at Arden Hills Resort. Tickets are $125 per person and include dinner and no-host bar. Sponsorships are available. A portion of proceeds will benefit Carmichael Parks Foundation. For reservations go to www.carmchamber.com or call (916) 481-1002