A foundation in journalism launched a public service career

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The list of Rutherford’s service endeavors seems never-ending. As examples, he was elected to the Little Rock School Board, served as chairman of the Arkansas Democratic Party, coordinated the 40th anniversary commemoration of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School and has co-taught a Sunday school class at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. He also formed the Political Animals Club of Little Rock, a group which meets regularly to hear speakers, usually on the topic of politics.

In addition, he manages two family farms in Independence and Jackson counties.

As a board member at Lyon College, he is involved in the development of the school’s unique dental and veterinary programs in Little Rock.

He and his wife Billie have three children; Blake, who lives in Bentonville; Martha, a resident of Ashville, N.C., and Mary, who lives in Singapore with the Rutherfords’ two grandchildren. “Thank goodness for computers,” Rutherford said of the Singapore location.

Retirement is proving easier for Rutherford than anticipated. He said the isolation of Covid made working at a home office a comfortable routine. He is contemplating the possibility of writing a book sharing untold stories of public service and politics.

Through it all, Rutherford has never lost his love for newspapers. He is continuing that support in retirement by serving on the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation board of directors.

“I applaud the work the APA is doing,” he said. “I am doing what I can to help elevate journalists with programs like the Deane-Blagg Award.” He also contributes items from his vast store of political memorabilia to the Foundation’s annual auction.

Rutherford recognizes the myriad challenges to the newspaper industry and said creative ideas must be developed, such as hybrid models in both print and electronic delivery.

“It is my hope that community newspapers will come back,” he said, citing an example of how smaller regional banks now are developing again. He sees regional newspapers as one possibility, in which the product might cover several counties.

He said high school and college newspapers often are surprisingly vibrant and he regularly reads one, the monthly Central High Tiger

“The business community has to start investing in promoting newspapers,” Rutherford said. “Part of their responsibility is support of a local newspaper.”

Rutherford praised the model sustained by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. “You get a sense that this statewide newspaper really does care about local communities, and I appreciate that,” he said.

“I’m excited to be working with Skip for the second time in my career,” said APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley. “He is one of the biggest advocates for community journalism in Arkansas, and no one is more passionate or committed to many important causes than him. The association is very fortunate to have someone of his caliber on the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation board.”