SENSEI KANDIE VACTOR

Martial Arts and Self Defense Instructor

Karen Vactor, also known as Kandie, received her B.S. in Business Administration at the University of Arizona in 1969. Graduating with honors, she majored in Marketing, specializing in Retailing and Advertising.

While attending the U of A, Kandie worked at SAM LEVITZ FURNITURE CO., INC. in Tucson where the warehouse furniture concept first began. Following University graduation, Kandie married Drew Vactor, her college sweetheart. They moved to New York City where Drew was a marketing associate for RCA Corporation.

Mrs. Vactor obtained a corporate staff position at E. J. KORVETTES, New York City. She specialized in personnel administration, including analysis of legal responsibilities. She approved payroll rates and reviewed compliance with labor standards for 60 E. J. KORVETTES units in 12 states. She next served as a telephone communications systems specialist with NEW YORK BELL TELEPHONE and GENERAL TELEPHONE in Tampa, Florida, implementing and designing new communications systems for the business community. In New York City, one of her most important projects was to design and conduct a market research program for the New York City Police Department, which led to the installation and implementation of the nation's first 911 EMERGENCY telephone system.

Mrs. Vactor's training in retailing then drew her back to the fledgling national LEVITZ FURNITURE CORPORATION chain, where she assisted in the initial hiring, training and opening of five retail units for LEVITZ FURNITURE in the Washington, D.C. area. She became a Department Manager of decorating and accessories. Returning to Tucson, Arizona in 1974, she opened her own design studio, INTERIORS AND CREATIVE MOODS, specializing in commercial, hotel and apartment design. Building on her background with Levitz Furniture, she became the Vice-President, General Manager, and a member of the Board of Directors of independently owned SAM LEVITZ FURNITURE COMPANY, INC. She had full merchandising, advertising, fiscal and personnel responsibilities. She traveled to nine furniture and appliance markets a year. When Mrs. Vactor took over the business, it was struggling with a new location. Under her auspices, the volume tripled and the business became a successful multi-million dollar corporation. Mrs. Vactor has been listed in Marquis WHO'S WHO IN FINANCE AND INDUSTRY since 1983.

After retiring from the furniture business, Sensei Vactor has been the owner and Chief Instructor of KoSho Karate San, a martial arts school. She began her martial arts career after retiring from retailing at the age of 40. She is a three time National Champion in Forms and Weapons and has earned a fourth degree Black Belt in four different martial arts disciplines: Shuri-ryu karate, tae kwondo, kobudo and jujitsu. She has conducted self-defense seminars nationally and internationally. Certified by the American Coaching Effectiveness Program, she has taught karate programs at Young Explorers Schools, the Tucson Jewish Community Center, and Women's Self Defense Courses for individual businesses and cruise ships. Emphasizing defensive strategies and personal empowerment tactics, Sensei Vactor has discovered many of these attitudes transfer directly into business strategies for today. For more information, write to Sensei Vactor at:

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520-577-7771