John K. Rutledge, Biography

John K. Rutledge, CRE, FRICS, President of Rutledge Company LLC, began his real estate career in 1968 and in the ensuing years has managed, leased, purchased, financed, and sold properties throughout the United States. He has worked with commercial, industrial, residential, agricultural, timber, and other types of property, and has owned investment properties during this time. He is experienced in construction finance and development. His consulting activities and speaking engagements have taken him to various countries including Russia and other former communist bloc nations as they have sought to privatize their markets, and his articles have appeared in various American and foreign publications.

Professional memberships include:

• The Counselors of Real Estate, a highly regarded organization of professionals offering unbiased real estate advice. He has served as an officer, as Midwest Chapter Chair, and as chair of several CRE committees.
• Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, who in 2005 named him a Fellow (FRICS), a prestigious designation recognized internationally.
• Northern Illinois Commercial Association of REALTORS® (Past President).
• Illinois Association of REALTORS® where he represents the interests of commercial real estate as chair and active member of various committees.
• Lambda Alpha International, an honorary land economics society. He is past president of its Ely (Chicago) Chapter and past Regional Vice President.
• National Trust Real Estate Association (former member and Past President).
• The Realty Club of Chicago (Past President).
• Turnaround Management Association, a group dedicated to corporate renewal and turnaround management.
• The Chicago Farmers, an agri-business organization (past officer and director).

He has served as a volunteer on several charitable boards involved in social services. He has also served as a volunteer with the International Real Property Foundation. He is a licensed real estate broker in the State of Illinois and is a member of the National Association of Realtors.

Mr. Rutledge holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Illinois where he has served as a volunteer in several capacities and received the Loyalty Award from its Alumni Association in 2005.

He recognizes the importance of the wise use of real estate, both as a financial asset and as a physical resource.