In 1961, most of the active balloonists in the USA agreed to meet in Pittsburg, PA to discuss the formation of a single organization to better represent the sport to the World body (FAI).  At this meeting on 26 March 1961, the Balloon Club of America was represented by:

PELLEGRINO, Peter (pres.) & SHIELDS, Francis  

and others from the Mid-West (Ballon Flyers of Akron) were:

BROWN, Peggy A.          OVERS, Donald E. (pres)          CONTOS, James A.          SWANSON, Arthur H.          HAYES, Robert L.          WOLCOTT, Roger L.

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA), which represents all U.S. aviation to the FAI, was represented by: WHITENER, Ralph (its president).  The name "Balloon Federation of America" was suggested by Don Overs, and subsequently adopted at this meeting.  The BFA became a de facto organization in Washington, DC on 9 April 1961, at which time the constitution was adopted in its final form. On 4 December 1967, the constitution underwent a major revision (by Don Kersten, Peter Pellegrino, and Ed Yost), that included provisions for Hot-Air balloonists on a one-member, one-vote rule.  It was made an Iowa corporation at that time.  Past BFA presidents have been: