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.[1]
Jim Rutt | |
|---|---|
 Rutt on Rebel Wisdom in 2021 | |
| Born | James Patrick Rutt December 11, 1953 |
| Died | May 27, 2026 (aged 72) |
| Alma mater | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Network Solutions, Santa Fe Institute, snail mail |
Early life
editRutt was born on December 11, 1953.[2] In 1975, he received a bachelor's degree in management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[2][3] He later ran technology operations for Thomson Corporation.[2]
Business career
editRutt was the CEO of Network Solutions, an American technology and Internet company.[4] 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.[5][6] In March 2001, after the acquisition, he subsequently stepped down from his position as a Verisign executive.[2] After retiring, New Mexico governor Bill Richardson appointed Rutt to serve on the State Investment Council.[7] In 2014, Rutt co-founded a makerspace in Staunton, Virginia with software engineer Dan Funk.[1]
Activities
editIn 1981, Rutt was the first to use the term "snail mail" to describe conventional mail services, in contrast with email.[8] Rutt was a trustee of the Santa Fe Institute,[9] a multi-disciplinary research organization, and was its chairman before retiring in 2012.[1] He did research into the scientific study of consciousness and artificial general intelligence.[10]
He hosted a podcast called The Jim Rutt Show.
Death
editRutt died on May 27, 2026, at the age of 72.[11]
References
edit- 1 2 3 Williams, Megan (June 5, 2014). "Staunton 'makerspace' gives anyone a high-tech workshop". News Leader. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- 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.
- ↑ "Jim Rutt". Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study. George Mason University. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ "Network Solutions appoints new CEO". CNET. January 2, 2002. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ "VeriSign buys domain firm". CNN. March 7, 2000. Archived from the original on November 17, 2001. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ Walker, Leslie (June 22, 2000). "James Rutt, Chief Executive Officer Network Solutions". The Washington Post. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ "GOV. RICHARDSON APPOINTS JIM RUTT TO STATE INVESTMENT COUNCIL". Highbeam. US Fed News Service. Archived from the original on 2016-05-05.
- ↑ Creeber, Glen; Martin, Royston (December 1, 2008). Digital Cultures: Understanding New Media. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0335221974.
- ↑ "Jim Rutt | Santa Fe Institute". www.santafe.edu. Archived from the original on 2021-11-29. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
- ↑ "Jim Rutt". Santa Fe Institute. Santa Fe Institute. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ↑ "James "Jim" Patrick Rutt". Obaugh Funeral Home, Inc. Retrieved 1 June 2026.