Blake Rutherford to Join McLarty Companies as VP

Blake Rutherford

The McLarty Companies announced Wednesday that Blake Rutherford will join the company later this month as a vice president.

The company, which owns RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Holdings and other ventures, said Rutherford will be responsible for advising the company and its affiliates on communications, strategy and corporate social responsibility. 

Rutherford will report to Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty, the company’s chairman, and Franklin McLarty, its senior vice president

Since September 2010, Rutherford has been chief of staff to Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. Previously, he was director of public communications for Stone Ward and an attorney with Wright Lindsey & Jennings LLP, both of Little Rock.

“I have known Blake for many years, and I have watched his professional career develop as an attorney, a public relations executive, and recently as chief of staff to the attorney general,” Franklin McLarty said. “His experience will enhance our family business interests as we continue to grow in Arkansas and beyond.”

He said Rutherford’s public- and private-sector comunications experience will be an asset.

In a statement, McDaniel said he’s selected a new chief of staff and will announce the selection “soon.”