Board of Directors

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Corentin Cras-Méneur - Treasurer

Corentin Cras-Méneur started Aikido at age 14 in the ASAKJN Dojo (Neuilly-sur-Seine, France) with Gérard Dumont Sensei (FFAAA - Aikikai). He took a prolonged hiatus from Aikido to study genetics and developmental biology at university, with his work focused on diabetes. After his PhD he moved to the US in 2002 for a postdoctoral fellowship at Washington University in St Louis (St Louis, MO). He moved to Ann Arbor in 2009, with a faculty position at the University of Michigan. 

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Thea Oatman - Director and Michigan Budokan Ombuds

Thea Oatman began training in 2007at Utah Aikikai in Salt Lake City.  She moved to Michigan in 2012 and found Lansing Area Aikikai in 2016 where she continues to train under Eric Doss Sensei. In 2020, Thea joined Birankai North America’s communications team; she is currently an active member of Birankai North America’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DAC).  When she’s not practicing Aikido and spending time with her family, she tries to make art. ​

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Thea serves as the Michigan Budokan Ombuds, providing a channel for members, program participants, and other stakeholders to raise issues or concerns related to our activities and instruction.

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Rodger Park - President

Rodger Park began his study of Aikido in 1989 at the University of Rochester Aikido Club, Rochester, New York. He moved to Ann Arbor for graduate studies at the University of Michigan in 1991, where he began daily training. Rodger currently holds the rank of 6th Dan (6th level "black belt") and a Shihan (senior instructor) teaching license. He has served as Chair of the Birankai NA Teachers' Council and on its national Examination Committee, and presently is a member of its Senior Council. Rodger is the Director of Customer Analytics at the Ann Arbor-based consultancy CFI Group USA.

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Terri Park - Secretary

Terri Park began her training in the Fall of 1998 at Aikido of Manhattan in New York City with Juba Nour Shihan. She then continued her training with Ryugan R.D. Savoca Shihan as the first official member of the Brooklyn Aikikai before relocating to Ann Arbor in 2012. She holds the rank of 5th Dan and a Shidoin (Instructor) teaching license with Birankai North America. Terri works as the Associate Director of Education and Community Engagement for the University Musical Society.