ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The INTERNATIONAL KARATE KOBUDO FEDERATION (IKKF) is recognized world wide as a leading traditional martial arts organization dedicated to the preservation of the "Old Ways", offering an alternative for serious dojos.
The Federation was founded and is directed by Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman, internationally recognized as a leading practitioner of Okinawan Karate and Kobudo, a practitioner since 1961. Mr. Heilman, who serves as President of the IKKF, is assisted in the operation of the Federation by Kyoshi Ann-Marie Heilman, his wife and a practitioner of the arts since 1968. Mrs. Heilman serves as Vice-President and Executive Board Chairperson for the IKKF.
IKKF Officers
The IKKF Officers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Federation. Officers of the IKKF include the following:
- C. Bruce Heilman, President IKKF, Hanshi, 9th Dan Karate, 9th Dan Kobudo, Okinawa Kenpo; Renshi, 3rd Dan Ju-Jitsu, USA.
- Ann-Marie Heilman, Vice-President & Executive Board Chairperson, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Karate, 8th Dan Kobudo, Okinawa Kenpo, USA.
IKKF Executive Board Members
The IKKF is supported by an Executive Board comprised of some of the leading martial artists in the world covering a variety of traditional disciplines. The IKKF Executive Board acts as an advisory group to the President to provide guidance and direction to the operation of the Federation. Currently, the IKKF Executive Board is comprised of 6 Hanshi and 8 Kyoshi - a truly impressive group. We are honored to have such a prestigious group of martial artists as part of our IKKF family. Mr. Heilmans instructor, Seikichi Odo, Japan, Hanshi 10th Dan Karate & Kobudo, served as a member of the IKKF Executive Board from 1991 to 1999.
A list of current IKKF Officers and Executive Board Members is presented below (click on name to see a photo and brief bio).
- Ann-Marie Heilman, Executive Board Chairperson, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Karate & Kobudo, Okinawa Kenpo, USA.
- Masaru Shintani, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Wado Ryu, Canada (deceased).
- James Hawkes, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, USA.
- Nick Adler, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Isshin-Ryu, USA.
- George Alexander, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Shorin-Ryu Matasumura, USA.
- Ron Yamanaka, Si Gung 8th Dan Kung Fu, Kyoshi 8th Dan Okinawan Gojo-Ryu, Canada.
- Chuck Merriman, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Okinawan Goju-Ryu, USA.
- Miguel Ibarra, Hanshi, 10th Dan Aikijujitsu, USA.
- Bobbi Snyder, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, USA.
- Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi, 8th Dan, Koryu Uchinadi, Australia,
- Roy J. Hobbs, Hanshi, 10th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, Japan,
- Jody Paul, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, Seidokan Motobu-Ryu, USA.
IKKF Renshi Kai
The IKKF is further supported by the IKKF Renshi Kai. The IKKF Renshi Kai is an elite advisory group of Licensed Karate and / or Kobudo Instructors. Their role is to advise the Officers of the Federation on technical and administrative issues and to comprise the formal Yudansha Testing Boards.
This "core group" of Licensed Instructors (4th Dan and up) include (click on name to see a photo and brief bio):
- C. Bruce Heilman, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Karate / Kobudo
- Ann-Marie Heilman, Kyoshi, 8th Dan, Karate / Kobudo, Chairperson IKKF Renshi-Kai.
- Rick Zondlo, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Doug Hoover, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Dan Rupert, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Steve Baer, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Tom Apsokardu, Renshi, 5th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Nick Adler, Hanshi 9th Dan Karate, Renshi, 5th Dan, Kobudo.
- Jose Cruz, 6th Dan, Karate / Renshi, 5th Dan Kobudo.
- Cassandra Shults, 5th Dan, Karate / Renshi, 5th Dan Kobudo.
- Michele Apsokardu, Renshi, 5th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Walt Moyer, Renshi, 4th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Carla Pronio-Molinaro, Renshi, 5th Dan, Goju-ryu Karate / 5th Dan Kobudo.
Photo of some of the IKKF Renshi Kai members at 1996 IKKF Annual Training.
IKKF San Ju Nen Kai
In 1996, IKKF President Heilman, formally established an additional advisory group entitled the IKKF San Ju Nen Kai (30 Year + Club). This group honors members of the IKKF who have been involved in the martial arts for over 30 years. The current inducted members of the IKKF San Ju Nen Kai include:
- Nick Adler, Hanshi, N.Y., USA.
- James Hawkes, Hanshi, N.M., USA.
- Robert Clark, Hanshi, England.
- C. Bruce Heilman, Hanshi, Pa.,USA.
- George Alexander, Hanshi, Fl., USA.
- Ron Yamanaka, Kyoshi, Canada.
- Robert Nenow, Shihan, Pa., USA.
- Miguel Ibarra, Hanshi, N.Y., USA.
- Jody Paul, Kyoshi, Ga., USA.
- Spartaco Bertoletti, Shihan, Italy.
- Frank Caliguri, Kyoshi, Pa., USA.
- Ann-Marie Heilman, Kyoshi, Pa., USA.
- Martin E. Duga, Kyoshi, Pa., USA.
- Bobbi Snyder, Kyoshi, S.C., USA.
- James Keahon, Kyoshi, N.J., USA.
- Ronald W. McCloskey, Kyoshi, Pa., USA.
- Chuck Merriman, Hanshi, CT., USA.
- Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi, Australia.
- Rick Ullrich, Sensei, USA.
- Tom Cauley, Kyoshi, USA.
- Marilyn Fierro, Kyoshi, USA.
- Roy J. Hobbs, Hanshi, Japan.
- Cody Templeton, Sensei, USA.
- Larry Isaac, Hanshi, USA.
- Vic Coffin, Kyoshi, USA.
- Al Louis, Kyoshi, USA.
- Bill Hayes, Kyoshi, USA.
Some of the IKKF San Ju Nen Kai members being inducted at the 1996 IKKKF Annual Training.
IKKF Style / Organization Heads
In addition to the overall organizational structure presented above in this section, the IKKF also is divided into Stylistic Divisions. Each IKKF Style Division is headed by an individual who has received Teacher or Senior Teachers Certification directly from the Founder or Current Head of the particular traditional system. These individuals are responsible for establishing the minimum style requirements in accordance with the internationally accepted standards for the particular system. Currently the IKKF includes the following Style / Organization Heads:
- Okinawa Kenpo Karate Koryu Kan - Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman, 9th Dan.
- Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo Koryu Kan - Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman, 9th Dan.
- Seidokan Motobu-Ryu Karate - Kyoshi Jody Paul, 8th Dan.
- Shotokan Karate - Renshi Jose Juan Cruz, 6th Dan.