Jim Giunta is a pioneering leader in American collegiate wrestling and a tireless advocate for athlete opportunity and program growth. As the founder of the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), Giunta has spent more than two decades reshaping non-scholarship college wrestling and expanding access nationwide. His vision has created a platform for thousands of athletes across over 150 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, including launching the first collegiate women’s wrestling division in 2007. A former wrestler at Burrell High School in Pennsylvania, Giunta competed collegiately at Penn State New Kensington and Texas A&M University. He began his professional career as a biology teacher and wrestling coach at Richardson High School in Texas, helping to build the early foundation of organized high school wrestling in the state. In 1987, he founded the Texas Interscholastic Wrestling Association (TIWA), and in 1995, he helped establish girls high school wrestling in Texas. After a successful transition into finance, Giunta became a Senior Vice President with Primerica while staying deeply involved in wrestling. In 2023, after 26 years as NCWA Executive Director, he was named NCWA President and Chairman of the Board. His leadership and commitment to opportunity have earned him recognition, including induction into the Texas Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Blair Green is a lifelong advocate for combat sports and a driving force behind the development and elevation of grappling in the United States. As the founder and Executive Director of USA Grappling, Green has played a pivotal role in creating competitive opportunities for athletes at every level—youth, collegiate, national, and international. His leadership has been central to the establishment of a national governing body, garnered multiple world championship in the sport, and the ongoing efforts to secure grappling’s inclusion in future Olympic Games. A former collegiate wrestler for the University of Oklahoma and Lindenwood University, Green earned All-American honors and developed a deep commitment to athlete mentorship and performance. He has served as a coach for the UCLA Bruins Wrestling Club, as well as Director of Grappling for USA Wrestling California, working closely with more than 25,000 youth athletes across the state. He is passionate about athlete development, safe sport education, and growing access to opportunities at every level. Mr. Green holds a Fine Arts degree from Lindenwood University, and went on to earn his MBA, Cum Laude. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology, with a research focus on the intersection of psychological resilience and athletic performance.

Townsend is a pioneer in combat sports. One of the founders of the FILA World Grappling Committee and former Director of Grappling Panamerica, he served as Wrestling Competition Manager for the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games and Manager of Developing Wrestling Styles for USA Wrestling. As Coach and Team Leader for the USA Wrestling Grappling World Team in 2007 and 2008, he led the teams to World Titles in Turkey and Switzerland. A 2nd Degree Black Belt under Rigan Machado, Jason wrestled varsity at Syracuse and Hofstra Universities and coached at Cal State Fullerton. With a B.A. in History from Cal State Fullerton, he drives NCGA’s mission to expand collegiate jiu-jitsu, fostering competitive and safe environments for student-athletes. Jason also currently enjoys coaching his students at CDA Jiu Jitsu in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Professor João Silva is a globally respected martial artist, innovator, and leader with nearly 40 years in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. An 8-time World Champion and Black Belt since age 19, he began teaching at 9 and opened his own academy by 20, guiding his team to national titles. At just 23, he founded the North American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (NABJJF), revolutionizing the sport in the U.S. with modern rules, live scoring, and digital brackets. In 2012, he launched the Sport Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF)—now spanning over 80 countries—where he serves as President, leading global competition standards, anti-doping programs, referee certifications, and athlete safety initiatives. Silva joined USA Grappling’s board in 2020, supporting organizational growth and athlete development. A 5th-degree BJJ Black Belt, Yodan in Judo, Sambo master, and former MMA fighter, he has coached numerous world champions, elite MMA athletes, and military personnel. Fluent in Portuguese and English, João Silva continues to be a transformative force in martial arts, tirelessly working to elevate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on a global scale. He continues to teach and lead with the same passion that defined his competitive career.

Jesse Simon is a dynamic CMO with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of fashion, entertainment, and creative strategy. With a background in art curation and entertainment management from Columbia College Chicago, Jesse has built a career defined by innovation, cultural insight, and an instinctive ability to shape brand narratives that resonate across industries. Jesse began his professional journey in the modeling world with Ford Models Chicago, quickly rising through the ranks to lead talent initiatives in New York and Los Angeles. As Co-Director of Ford LA and later Director at LA Models, he developed and executed campaigns for global brands like YSL, Dior, and Levi’s, while guiding top talent featured in Vogue, Dazed, and i-D. In 2017, Jesse co-founded Other Peoples Children (OPC), a boundary-pushing art collective turned creative agency. As CMO, he led the agency’s brand identity, creative partnerships, and strategic growth—transforming OPC into a go-to destination for clients seeking bold, culturally relevant campaigns and talent solutions. His leadership has helped bridge emerging creative voices with leading-edge brands in fashion, music, and entertainment.

Johnny Morgan is a nationally respected wrestling and jiu-jitsu coach known for his strategic innovation and athlete-first approach. With a background in chess, he brings a tactical mindset that has elevated individual and team success in both disciplines. In 2014, Morgan revitalized the struggling Huntington Beach High School wrestling program, leading them to their first league championship in 28 years. He earned multiple honors, including the Los Angeles Times Dream Team Coach Award and five straight Sunset League Coach of the Year titles. Morgan also founded Hypermodern Jiu-Jitsu, an academy known for fusing wrestling into sport jiu-jitsu—a style he called “Wrestle-Jitsu.” His athletes captured major titles such as the IBJJF Pan-American No-Gi, World No-Gi, and JJWL Grand Slam titles. On the international stage, Morgan has coached Team USA Grappling to historic success, guiding athletes to UWW Grappling World Titles with consecutive back-to-back wins in Spain, Poland, and Kazakhstan. Now as NCGA’s Director of Athlete Development, Morgan continues his mission to grow collegiate grappling through strategic mentorship, athlete support, and program excellence.

Brandon Quick is a highly respected entrepreneur, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and the founder of the American Grappling Federation (AGF)—one of the most prominent Jiu-Jitsu tournament organizations in the world. Under his leadership, AGF has grown to host over 100 professionally run events annually across the United States and Europe, setting the standard for fairness, efficiency, and an unmatched competitor experience. AGF is the official host of the Team USA Qualifiers and World Team Trials, playing a pivotal role in the development of grappling on the road to Olympic recognition. Before building AGF, Brandon served honorably in the U.S. Army, where he cultivated the discipline, leadership, and resilience that continue to define his approach to both business and martial arts. His military experience became the foundation for his pursuit of excellence in Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports.