Dan Butler started his career under the big top of Sailor Circus in Sarasota, Florida and trained with world-renowned flyer Faye Alexander, Willie Edelston of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Gustino Loyal of the Loyal- Repinski Troupe. He also performed with the Florida State University Circus. Alongside his wife, Betty, Dan founded the organization in 1994. In 1997, Dan secured CJ as a 501(c)3 non-profit and was instrumental in the fundraising for and building, designing and construction of the new 21,000 sq ft big top Circus Juventas now calls home. He has taken the helm as the organization’s executive director and facilitates all business operations, assists in fundraising, while still retaining a coaching role with CJ students. Dan has masterfully guided the ship to become the largest youth circus program in North America.