Grand Master John McDowell has been appointed to the position of Vice-President of the ITA, by ITA President and Founder, Grandmaster James S. Benko. Grand Master McDowell holds ranks in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Korean Swordsmanship, and Tang Soo Do. Master McDowell is the Grand Master at the KMAI (Korean Martial Arts Institute). The KMAI is the World Training Headquarters for the ITA. He is also the technical advisor for Tae Kwno Do Journal.

Grand Master McDowell has appeared in several ITA training videos with Grand Master Benko and has assisted him in conducting a variety of seminars. He is also featured in Grand Master Benko's book, "Korean Cane Techniques (Ji Pang E Sul)" He is also involved in the editing and production of several ITA DVDs and books. He has helped design a variety of ITA and KMAF (Korean Martial Arts Federation) training programs.

Grand Master McDowell's entire family, wife Joan, and his four children, Angela, David, Greg, and Joey, hold the rank of Master in Tae Kwon Do, as well as ranks in other Korean martial arts. Grand Master McDowell is both proud and excited about his new position in the ITA and looks forward to accepting the responsibilities which accompany it.