Master Chris A. Benoit was born in 1970 and began training at 5 years old. Achieving a black belt was the motive to stay in martial arts, and excellence was his goal. Since receiving his black belt in 1980 he has devoted his entire life to learning and sharing his knowledge of the martial arts with others. His way of life through martial arts began in 1975. From white belt to he has achieved many awards. In 1980 he achieved his 1st degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and TaeKwonDo. In 1982 he began teaching and working hands on with students. He began competing nationally and by 1984 he became a World Champion by the age of 14. From 1988-1989 he instructed the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office in weapons and hand to hand combat. In 1989 Master Chris Benoit opened his first Martial Arts School in the city of Westwego. Master Chris worked in New Orleans full time as a sheriff’s deputy and taught martial arts part time. In 1992 he transferred to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and began teaching full time. Within 6 months the school grew from 35 to over 300 students. Even with the success of his karate school he was not able to stay away from law enforcement. Master Chris instructed the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Deputies in weapons and hand to hand combat. He has also instructed security staff for different entertainment clubs in the south. Master Chris has formed his own association nationally known as the International Martial Arts Association (I.M.A.A.), which includes other martial arts schools. In 1996 Master Chris was named to the “World Karate Union Hall of Fame”, this is one of the highest honors you can achieve in the martial arts. On May 29, 1998 Master Chris graduated from the Harbor Police Academy as one of the top students in his class. At the time of his graduation he was presented with the “Johnny Ferris Award” for his outstanding leadership abilities. In order to serve his community, Master Chris Benoit worked with the Westwego Police Department as their Crime Prevention Officer as well as a member of their Metropolitan Narcotics Task Force. In 2001 Master Chris was assigned as detective to the criminal Investigation Bureau with the Westwego Police Department. He also became the Defensive Tactics Instructor. In 2002 Master Chris became a member of the Westwego Police Department S.W.A.T. Team. In January2005 Master Chris Benoit took sabbatical from the Westwego Police Department to serve his country during “Operation Freedom in Iraq”, where he trained Iraqi Police. Upon returning from Iraq, Master Chris opened the Martial Arts Institute of Louisiana in Westwego. In 2009 Master Chris became a Marine Interdiction Agent with HomeLand Security and still holds that position. In 2017 Master Chris was Inducted into the Mississippi Karate Association "Hall of Fame". His school has a new location, 7575 Westbank Expressway in Marrero.