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