Keith Hay holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and a Masters of Education Degree in K-12 School Guidance and Counseling from Frostburg State University. He is employed at Berlin Brothersvalley School District as the Elementary School Guidance Counselor as well as the District Safety Coordinator.  Outside of school, Keith enjoys spending time with his family, restoring his Victorian Houses, and instructing Krav Maga (the official self-defense system of the Israeli Defense Force). Keith is one of the lead instructors of Krav Maga at Kick Masters Karate in Frostburg MD. He is also the founder and chief instructor at Highland Combatives in Meyersdale PA where he conducts individual and group training in “combatives.”  Keith also conducts seminars on self-protection, home defense and active incident training.   

Keith began his formal instruction under Tim Larkin of Target Focus Training, which was his introduction to the world of “reality-based combatives.”  He began his study of Krav Maga through Nir Maman, former Chief Counter-Terror and Krav Maga Instructor for the IDF Counter-Terror and Special Operations School.  Keith has also studied the Instinctive Close Quarters Combat System developed by Special Operations and Security Expert, Glenn Boodry.  He has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gracie Combatives, Krav Maga under Mr. Kirk McTaggert at Kick Masters Karate, LLC and attended David Sullivan’s Dirty Boxing Clinic.  Keith also teaches Krav Maga at the bi-annual Kick Masters University at Kick Masters, LLS alongside Instructor Ray Rase. He was recently honored with the 2017 Fire-Starters Award at the Kick Masters Karate 25^th Anniversary Event for his improvements made to the Krav Maga program. 

 Keith has trained numerous times with Lee Morrison of Urban Combatives and with former Marine and Special Operations Officer, J. Kelly McCann of Kembativz Brand. Most recently, Keith was invited to attended Kelly McCann’s Kembativz Instructor Program where he earned the title of Assistant Instructor. Keith is also the founder of Highland Combatives in Meyersdale, PA where he conducts private, small and large group training in self-protection. As the Security Coordinator at Berlin Brothersvalley School District, Keith has conducted Threat and Vulnerability Assessments and developed Emergency Operations and Family Reunification Plans.  He has attended numerous courses in both small and large group security with the FBI, Dept. of Homeland Security, private security firms and FEMA. Keith has participated as a role-player in numerous Active Shooter Trainings with police and first responders and has conducted Active Shooter and Home Invasion seminars. He has also trained in emergency trauma care and teaches the “Stop the Bleed Program.”