Darrin and Thomasina McGowan have been married since 1995. The two are lifelong residents of Rushville and have a dojo dog (karate school), Evie. Darrin, Thomasina, and Darrin's twin brother, Darvin, started Pinnacle Martial Arts (PMA) in February, 1995.

Darrin McGowan is a Seventh Degree Black Belt in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu under Phillip Keoppel, Hanshi, and Senior Instructor for PMA. He has over 40 years in the martial arts and in the past, competed nationally and in Okinawa, trained and taught nationwide. Darrin has spoken and developed programs on school bullying, personal safety, and self-defense. He has also worked as security for concerts, events, and celebrities.

In addition to the martial arts, Darrin is very involved in the community. He was elected to three terms on the Rushville City Council and served on the Board of Works and Unsafe Hearing Board, almost 21 years of public service. Darrin was also a Rushville Reserve Police Officer for 10 years and a Rush County Reserve Deputy for 2 years. He also is a founding member of Riverside Park Amphitheater and still serves on the board.

Besides Pinnacle Martial Arts, Darrin & Thomasina, run their primary small business McGowan Designs & Photography. They started McGowan Designs & Photography in 2010, which Darrin works full time. A small business that focuses on Photography and Graphic Design. Some examples of their work can be found at www.mcgowandesigns.com. Darrin also is the Martial Arts Education Instructor at Mays Community Academy.

In 2012, Darrin was recognized as the Rush County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, as well as, presented with the United States Karate-Do Kai Phillip W. Koeppel Award of Excellence. On July 12, 2019, Darrin received the Large Double-Bladed Ax, the highest honor given by the United States Karate-Do Kai. He is the 62nd recipient.

Darrin is a 1995 graduate from Ball State University.

Thomasina is a Fourth Degree Black Belt and began her training in 1994. In the past, she was also a great competitor and in 1999, was the Professional Karate Commissions (PKC) Indiana State Kumite (Sparring) Champion, Advanced Women’s Division. Thomasina has assisted with the bullying programs, personal safety, self-defense programs and security. She is the Chief Instructor for PMA’s Lil’ Dragons Classes, 5-9 year olds and the dojo (school) administrator.

Thomasina is also very active in the community. She is a founding member of the Phoenix House Domestic Violence Shelter in Rushville and served as treasurer for 5 years and has volunteered for various organizations. In 2002, she was recognized as the Rushville Republican’s Woman of the Year.

Thomasina works full time for the past 26 years as Office Manager doing treatment planning, accounting, payroll and collections for Superb Smiles Dental Care, LlC in Rushville. Superb Smiles is a three doctor dental practice and employs 11 others. She also is a photographer for McGowan Designs and keeps up the accounting/and billing.

Thomasina is a 1987 graduate of Professional Careers Institute.