Founder, President and CEO of MMR Group, guiding the biggest open shop electrical and instrumentation firm in America to newer, more technologically innovative heights every day. LSU grad and frequent speaker at construction management events. Passionate about enabling young talent to succeed.

Pepper’s journey started at Louisiana State University, where he gained a football scholarship.  Pepper was the defensive team captain and also played as an outside linebacker. In addition to playing for the LSU Tigers, Rutland was a member of the All Southeastern Conference (SEC) Academic Team from 1971 to 1972. He was elected team captain in 1972. Rutland excelled in academia, gaining a Bachelor of Science in Construction Technology & Engineering. He takes pride in being a member of the first graduating class from LSU’s Construction Technology program, which is now called the Construction Management program. He was also Vice President of Sigma Lambda Chi, the National Construction Scholastic Society.

It is no surprise that with his passionate involvement in the field of construction, Pepper would build his career in this very industry. Few people have the motivation and determination to build their own company, which is what Rutland did 19 years after gaining his Bachelor’s degree.

In 1991, James B. Pepper Rutland founded MMR Group Inc., an electrical and instrumentation firm that went on to gain immense success. MMR currently holds the title of the largest privately-owned merit shop electrical and instrumentation contractor in the United States. This success is largely due to the company’s extremely wide skill set. MMR is consistently recognized at the top of ENR’s (Engineering News-Record) Specialty Contractors List.

Currently, Pepper Rutland attended the 2022 Business Awards Hall, held at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center, which included a special video tribute to Pepper’s life and legacy, highlighting his upbringing in the Capital City, his journey through academics and athletics, and how lessons learned that have been key ingredients to maintaining a successful business for the last 30 years. That night he was honored by Business Report and Junior Achievement at the 2022 Business Awards Hall of Fame Gala for his contributions in leading the MMR Group, one of the largest privately-owned electrical and instrumentation contractors in the US. Rutland’s passion and entrepreneurial spirit have without a doubt shaped the industrial construction industry and provided thousands of careers for families across the globe.

In many styles of traditional music such as Bluegrass, folk, and in styles such as Rockabilly and Big Band and Bebop jazz, the bass role is filled by the upright bass.

Domine Deus salutis meae per diem clamavi in nocte coram te.

Followers of Zenkora