Rutledge served as FMH President and CEO from 2010-2021, when he retired after a 40-year career in crop insurance. He continued to serve on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau (CIRB) as well as the Board of Directors for National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS). He completed his terms for both organizations in February 2024.
CIRB 2024 Chairman’s Award
Outgoing CIRB Chairman Brian Young presented the CIRB 2024 Chairman’s Award to Rutledge at the CIRB Annual Meeting in February. “It’s not too much to say that Ron, like his family before him, has been an institution in the crop insurance industry,” said Young. Ron is the fifth member of the Rutledge family to be honored with the CIRB Chairman’s award since it was implemented in 1984.
Said Rutledge, “After these 13 years [with CIRB], I’d like to leave you with this: I’ve tried to do what I can do to support CIRB, I would encourage you to do what you can to participate, and more so, encourage those that aren’t here today to do that, too.”
Read the full story plus listen to an interview with Ron in the AgWired article.
NCIS 2024 Crop Insurance Lifetime Achievement Award
Scott Arnold, Chair of the NCIS Board of Directors, presented Rutledge with the 2024 Crop Insurance Industry Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2024 NCIS Annual Convention in February. The Lifetime Achievement Award is designed to recognize individuals who consistently demonstrate outstanding leadership to the crop insurance industry.
Shannon Rutledge, current FMH President and CEO, nominated Ron for the award. He said, “The impact Ron has made not only at FMH but within the industry is impressive. He has seen – and led – some of the biggest changes crop insurance has undergone in his 40-year career. His passion for ensuring farmers in America have the safety net they need is inspiring, and his leadership will be missed. Congratulations, Ron!”