Jim Rutt

Jim Rutt
Rutt in 2021
Born
James Patrick Rutt

(1953-12-11)December 11, 1953
DiedMay 27, 2026(2026-05-27) (aged 72)
EducationMassachusetts Institute of Technology
OccupationBusinessman
Known forNetwork Solutions, Santa Fe Institute, snail mail

James Patrick Rutt (December 11, 1953 – May 27, 2026) was an American businessman who was the CEO of Network Solutions, and the chairman of the Santa Fe Institute.

Early life

Rutt was born on December 11, 1953. In 1975, he received a bachelor's degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later ran technology operations for Thomson Corporation.

Business career

Rutt was the CEO of Network Solutions, an American technology and Internet company. He was hired in 1999 during the dot-com boom, and negotiated the company's $15 billion acquisition by Verisign, where it continued operating as an independent subsidiary. In March 2001, after the acquisition, he subsequently stepped down from his position as a Verisign executive. After retiring, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson appointed Rutt to serve on the State Investment Council. In 2014, Rutt co-founded a makerspace in Staunton, Virginia with software engineer Dan Funk.

Activities

In 1981, Rutt was the first to use the term "snail mail" to describe conventional mail services, in contrast with email. Rutt was a trustee of the Santa Fe Institute, a multi-disciplinary research organization, and was its chairman before retiring in 2012. He did research into the scientific study of consciousness and artificial general intelligence.

He hosted a podcast called The Jim Rutt Show.

Death

Rutt died on May 27, 2026, at the age of 72.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Williams, Megan (June 5, 2014). "Staunton 'makerspace' gives anyone a high-tech workshop". News Leader. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Schwartz, John (April 23, 2001). "TECHNOLOGY; Internet 'Bad Boy' Takes on a New Challenge". The New York Times. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Jim Rutt". Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study. George Mason University. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Network Solutions appoints new CEO". CNET. January 2, 2002. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "VeriSign buys domain firm". CNN. March 7, 2000. Archived from the original on November 17, 2001. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Walker, Leslie (June 22, 2000). "James Rutt, Chief Executive Officer Network Solutions". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "Gov. Richardson Appoints Jim Rutt to State Investment Council". US Fed News Service. August 7, 2006. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05 – via HighBeam Research.
  8. ↑ Creeber, Glen; Martin, Royston (December 1, 2008). Digital Cultures: Understanding New Media. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0335221974.
  9. ↑ "Jim Rutt | Santa Fe Institute". www.santafe.edu. Archived from the original on 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  10. ↑ "Jim Rutt". Santa Fe Institute. Santa Fe Institute. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "James "Jim" Patrick Rutt". Obaugh Funeral Home, Inc. Retrieved 1 June 2026.