Founder & Chief Instructor of Aikido Delaware Aikikai, Rev. Zenko N. Okimura, was born in Iwakuni, Japan and is the eldest son of Bishop & Mrs. Eisho Okimura. Okimura Shihan began his Aikido study in 1963, and received his 1st Dan in 1968 from Aikido's founder, Morihei Ueshiba. He currently holds rank as a 6th Dan certified instructor. The present Doshu, Moriteru Ueshiba, grandson of the founder, and Okimura Shihan studied under Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, son of the founder, at Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo. Okimura Shihan has been a head Aikido instructor in both Japan and Hawaii. He has taught Aikido in Europe as well as throughout the United States. Okimura Shihan is also a Shingon Buddhist priest and has served under Bishop Eisho Okimura after attaining priesthood at Mt. Koya Monastery in Wakayama, Japan. Okimura Shihan brings great technical and spiritual depth to the students of the ADA organization. Okimura Shihan holds Baccalaureate degrees in Education and Religion.

Instructor at Aikido Delaware Aikikai. Dr. Zohreh Soofi was born in Shiraz, Iran and is the daughter of Professor Ali Behmanesh and Madam Iran Assef.  Zohreh Soofi Sensei began her Aikido study in 1995 under Okimura Shihan, and currently holds a 3rd Dan instructors rank.  Zohreh Soofi Sensei has directly assisted Okimura Shihan in instructions throughout the continental United States and in Hawaii.  She is the Head Instructor of the Aikido Kids program at the ADA Dojo since 1998.  Zohreh Soofi Sensei holds doctorate degrees in Fine Arts and Education.