Rutherford, Tom, 1947-

Politician, lobbyist and balloonist, Thomas Truxtum Rutherford was born March 3, 1947 in Ohio. He moved with his parents, Jim and Betty Rutherford and siblings to New Mexico from Columbus, Ohio in 1954. While attending the University of New Mexico, Tom Rutherford opened The Flower Shoppe, which carried merchandise such as posters, beads, buttons and jewelry. He said he opened the store "to gain practical experiences in business." In 1970 he received his BBA in Marketing and Economics from the University of New Mexico and later in 1982 his Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico School of Law. While working for KOB radio as an announcer in 1972, he co-founded the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, later earning a place in the Balloon Fiesta Hall of Fame. From 1972-1979 he served as Vice-President of the World Balloon Corporation. In 1972 he was elected to the New Mexico State Senate. During his 24 years in the Senate his main interests were government reform, crime control, health, education, environmental quality, tax reform, community development and equal rights. He served on the Education, Rules, Local Government Needs, Science and Technology Oversight, Economic Development and New Technologies Interim and Election Study Review Committees. After retiring from the Senate in 1996 he was elected to the Bernalillo County Commission representing District Three, where he served 8 years. He was also retained as General Counsel for the National Fraternal Order of Police for 6 years. He founded The Rutherford Group where he represents local, national, and international corporations and groups before the legislature.

From the description of Tom Rutherford papers, 1823-2006 (bulk 1972-2004) (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 246680828

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