Meet Our Team
The Elysium Organization (TEO) is Federally recognized 501(c)3 operated by a Board of Directors, with Taylor Turner serving as the head and Chief Executive. The two other directors are her husband Eric Turner and KMAA part-owner Joseph Zonar. TEO also has a board of advisors, which includes current UFC competitor Ovince Saint Preux and former UFC competitor Rafaello Oliveira.
TAYLOR TURNER
President
Taylor Turner is The Elysium Organization’s President and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, with a degree in Sociology, Physiology and Nutrition. Mrs. Turner additionally went on to pursue a Master’s Degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, teaching many classes on anatomy, physiology and nutrition. Mrs. Turner is a life-long athlete, who was offered a scholarship on Minnesota’s Crewe Team; though she chose to study abroad instead. Mrs. Turner is currently also a professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competitor.
ERIC TURNER
Treasurer
Mrs. Turner’s husband, Eric Turner, is The Elysium Organization’s Treasurer and is the founder of the Knoxville Martial Arts Academy (KMAA). He has been teaching Mixed Martial Arts for more than 20 years and has instructor level ranking in Judo, Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Inayan Eskrima, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is widely recognized as an expert in mixed martial arts, as he has personally coached two athletes to the UFC – the premier MMA organization in the world. Mr. Turner studied Philosophy & Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee before founding KMAA.
JOEY ZONAR
Chief Administrative Officer
Joseph Zonar is The Elysium Organization’s Chief Administrative Officer and is part owner in KMAA. He has been training martial arts for more than half his life and began training with Mr. Turner in 2004. He has black belts in Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido and Judo as well as a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management.
Philip Parker
Chief Marketing Officer
Philip Parker is the founder of Parker Media Management, which manages the online presence of more than a dozen corporate entities. Philip’s extensive background in Communications (college), banking (10 years) , and public health & education (for the last 4 years) prove an invaluable asset to The Elysium Organization.
OVINCE SAINT PREUX
Advisor
Ovince Saint Preux is one of The Elysium Organization’s Advisors and is a current UFC competitor. Ranked #6 in the world at Light
Heavy Weight by the UFC, “OSP” has been the main event three times for the UFC and has an 8-2 record inside the Octagon. He is also a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2001 to 2004.
RAFAELLO OLIVEIRA
Advisor
Rafaello Oliveira is another of The Elysium Organization’s Advisors and is a former UFC competitor. Mr. Oliveira competed eight times in the world famous Octagon. He is currently teaching MMA & Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Charleston, SC. Mr. Oliveira is a native of Recife, Brazil, where he received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the world famous Nova União gym, and is well acquainted with the effects of poverty and has done much to relieve these effects both in his native Brazil and here in the U.S.A.
Get in Touch
We love hearing from people around the world, so if you’ve got something to say we’d love to hear it!
Contact info
360 Teresa Ann Drive
Seymour, TN 37865
+1 865 771-9775
Taylor@Knox-MMA.com