The 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. Please visit the Honorary Members page for recent updates.