Founders

The following individuals have been instrumental in inaugurating and developing the World Baton Twirling Federation:

• John Kirkendall/USA - Founding President
• Jack Crum/USA - Founding Member/Organizer
• Peppino Giamminola/Italy - Founding Member/Organizer - First Vice President of the WBTF/1978; WBTF Honorary Member
• Aiko Takayama/Japan - Founding Member; WBTF Honorary Member
• Jurgen Ernst/Germany - WBTF Treasurer (1983-1993); WBTF Honorary Member
• Chet Jones/USA - instrumental in developing Compulsory Moves
• Ann Bittenbender/USA - Chair of the Technical Committee (1979 to 1987)
• George Walbridge/USA/Star Line Baton Company - Developer and Organizer
• Ken Sasser/USA/International Teachers Institute - Organizer
• Tom Veenendall/USA - World Record Book Editor (1985 to 1996)
• Lynda Garland/Canada - WBTF President (1983 to 2008)
• Star Line Baton Company Inc., President and CEO, Jack Crum/USA
• Frances Whitley/USA – WBTF Technical Vice Chair (1992 to 2005)
• Paola DeMarchi/Italy - WBTF Technical Chair (1992 - present)
• Jackie Stewart/USA - WBTF Judges Chair (1992 - present)
• Sandi Wiemers/USA - WBTF Vice President (2000-2008)  WBTF President (2008 - present)
• Paul Rutten/Netherlands - WBTF Treasurer (1993- present;  World Record Book Editor (1996 - present)

The first World Baton Twirling Championships were held in Seattle, Washington in 1980. Renowned coaches of our early Gold Medalists, who had a vision and made that vision become a reality through the development of Freestyle are:

• Jerry Alvarez
• Ann Bittenbender
• Cecelia Cruz McLean
• Michael Cruz
• Maureen Johnson
• Chet Jones
• Alan Kramer
• Annette Odello
• Maxine Papadopoulos
• Bonnie Webber
• Dale White
• Frances Whitley

The W.B.T.F. introduced an “Honorary Member” Program in 1991. This prestigious award has been presented to the following individuals:

• Peppino Giamminola, Italy
• Aiko Takayama, Japan
• Jurgen Ernst, Germany (deceased in 2002)
• Jack Crum, USA
• Pastor Noble Chet Jones, USA
• Frances Whitley, USA
• Lynda Garland, Canada
• Jean-Claude Steiner, France
• Maureen Johnson, Canada
• John Kirkendall, USA

• Bernadette Doyne, Ireland