Rutherford Elected NCHA Vice President

Mike & Teri Lynne Rutherford

Rutherford, 52, Buda, Texas, a second-generation cutter and businessman, outpolled fellow nominee Bruce Richerson, Alexandria, La., 1,242 to 1,194. He will take over as 2012/2013 NCHA Vice President during the association’s upcoming convention later this month in Nashville, Tenn. One year from now, he will become the NCHA president-elect. He’ll eventually serve a one-year term as 2014/2015 NCHA president.

Rutherford married his longtime girlfriend, the former Terri Lynne Waggoner, also an avid cutter, on May 3 at the annual NCHA Western Nationals cutting in Reno, Nev. The incoming vice president said during his campaign that experience gained as a cutter and as a businessman will help him assist incoming NCHA President Ernie Beutenmiller, Union, Mo., and NCHA President-Elect Barbara Brooks, Nashville, Tenn., in the near future.

Reached by phone today following his election, Rutherford said he's relieved to have won, but he also felt remorse for Richerson losing such a close race.

"He's a good man, too, and he'd have been of great service to the NCHA [as a vice president and future president]," Rutherford said. "I think the NCHA won all the way around, because Bruce is on the Executive Committee, and I'll be on it now. It will help both of us."

His top priority upon taking office, Rutherford said, is securing more recognition and participation among amateur-level cutters. "That's my job one, two, and three," he said.

Asked which made him more nervous, his May 3 wedding day, or his June 12 election day, Rutherford said, "The election, by far. I knew what I was getting into with the marriage."

Rutherford and his newlywed wife had dated five years before getting married last month.