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, 10th Dan Karate, 10th 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 9 Hanshi and 3 Kyoshi - a truly impressive group representing some of the top traditional martial arts organizations in the Country. 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 and past IKKF Officers and Executive Board Members is presented below (click on name to see a photo and brief bio).
- Ann-Marie Heilman, Kyoshi, 8th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate & Kobudo, IKKF Executive Board Chairperson, USA.
- Nick Adler, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Isshin-Ryu, Director / Nick Adler's Centurians, USA.
- George Alexander, Hanshi, 10th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, Director / International Shorin-ryu Karate Kobudo Federation, USA.
- Ron Yamanaka, Hanshi 9th Dan Okinawan Gojo-Ryu, Director / Yudansha Kobujitsu Karate-do Federation, Canada.
- Chuck Merriman, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Okinawan Goju-Ryu, Director / Chuck Merriman's Karate International, USA.
- Miguel Ibarra, Hanshi, 10th Dan Aikijujitsu, Director / Yama Bushi Jujitsu Ryu, USA.
- Patrick McCarthy, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Koryu Uchinadi, Director / International Ruykuyu Karate-Jitsu Research Society, Australia,
- Roy J. Hobbs, Hanshi, 10th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, Director / Kokusai Dentokan Bugei Renmei, Japan,
- Jody Paul, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Seidokan Motobu-Ryu, Director / International Seidokan Motobu-ryu Karate-do Renmei, USA.
- Giacomo Spartaco Bertoletti, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Enshinryu Ju-Jitsu & Kobudo, Director / World Ju-Jitsu Kobudo Organization, Italy.
- Bill Hayes, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Shorin-ryu Karate & Kobudo, Director / Shorin Kai International, USA.
- Susan Hawkes, Kyoshi, 6th Dan Shorin-ryu Karate, Rensih 4th Dan Kobudo, Co-Director / United States Karate Alliance, USA.
- Bobbi Snyder, Kyoshi, 7th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, USA (deceased).
- Masaru Shintani, Hanshi, 9th Dan, Wado Ryu, Director / Shintani Wado Ryu, Canada (deceased).
- Seikichi Odo, Hanshi, 10th Dan, Okinawa Kenpo Karate and Kobudo, Director / Okinawa Kenop Karate Kobudo Federation, Okinawa (deceased).
- James Hawkes, Hanshi, 10th Dan, Shorin-Ryu, Co-Director / United States Karate Alliance, USA (deceased).
IKKF Executive Council
The IKKF Executive Council was established in 2012 by Hanshi and Kyoshi Heilman to serve as a Legacy Board and to administratively support the Heilman's in the operation of the Federation.
- Doug Hoover, Kyoshi 7th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate / Kobudo.
- Dan Rupert, Kyoshi 7th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate / Kobudo.
- Steve Baer, Kyoshi 7th Dan Okinawa Kenpo Karate / Kobudo.
- Jose Cruz, Kyoshi 7th Dan Shotokan Karate / Renshi 6th Dan Kobudo.
- Carla Molinaro, Kyoshi 7th Dan Goju-ryu Karate / Renshi 6th Dan Kobudo.
- Joe Dupaquier, Kyoshi 7th Dan Tae Kwon Do / Renshi 4th Dan Kobudo.
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 10th 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 6th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Nick Adler, Hanshi 9th Dan Karate, Renshi 5th Dan, Kobudo.
- Jose Cruz, Kyoshi 7th Dan, Karate / Renshi 6th Dan Kobudo.
- Cassandra Shults, 6th Dan, Karate / Renshi 6th Dan Kobudo.
- Michele Apsokardu, Renshi 6th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Carla Molinaro, Kyoshi 7th Dan, Goju-ryu Karate / Renshi 6th Dan Kobudo.
- Walt Moyer, Renshi 5th Dan, Karate / Kobudo.
- Greg Holmes, 5th Dan Shuri-ryu Karate / Renshi 5th Dan Kobudo.
- Joe Dupaquier, Kyoshi 7th Dan, Tae Kwon Do / Renshi 4th Dan Kobudo.
- Matt Apsokardu, Renshi 4th Dan Karate & 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 a special recognition 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, Hanshi, Canada.
- Robert Nenow, Hanshi, Pa., USA.
- Miguel Ibarra, Hanshi, N.Y., USA.
- Jody Paul, Hanshi, Ga., USA.
- Spartaco Bertoletti, Hanshi, Italy.
- Frank Caliguri, Hanshi, Pa., USA.
- Ann-Marie Heilman, Kyoshi, Pa., USA.
- Martin E. Duga, Hanshi, 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, Hanshi, USA.
- Al Louis, Hanshi, 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 Kobudo Koryu Kan - Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman, 10th Dan.
- Seidokan Motobu-Ryu Karate & Kobudo - Hanshi Jody Paul, 9th Dan.
- Shotokan Karate - Kyoshi Jose Juan Cruz, 7th Dan.
- Goju-ryu Karate - Kyoshi Carla Molinaro, 7th Dan.