Michael P. Rutland
Michael P. Rutland
Washington State Membership Director | Washington State Knights of Columbus
Upon graduating from high school in 1973, Michael P. Rutland joined the U.S. Air Force, primarily serving as an aircraft armament system manager overseeing the F-22 and advancing to senior master sergeant when he retired in 1998. A veteran of Operation Desert Storm, he accrued numerous accolades over the course of his military service, including two National Defense Service Medals, four Commendation Medals, and two Meritorious Service Medals. Afterward, he spent 18 years at the Boeing Company, where he excelled as a training manager for the F-22 program from 1998 to 2002—earning a Sustained Performance Quality Pride Award in 1999—and then as its technical lead engineer and manager from 2002 to 2016.
Amid his role at Boeing, Mr. Rutland founded Northwest Motivation—a company that helps new entrepreneurs in the Greater Seattle area—for which he served as chief executive officer from 2010 to 2023. In addition, he’s been an active member of the State Knights of Columbus for 40 years and has found success as the Washington State membership director since 2021, supervising 75 jurisdictions and in charge of recruiting efforts across 35 districts. In this capacity, he works with the district properties, working with 35 people every week to track the progress of their council; offers training to the district grand knights to the individual council if they need help; and travels the state often to help them in their recruiting process—utilizing his tenacity and knowledge.
Mr. Rutland has led the state to achieve the Supreme Knight Circle of Honor for four consecutive years, has been named Director of the Year for the past two years, has been active in programs such as the Special Olympics and Coats for Kids, and finds immense pride in mentoring up-and-coming knights.
Mr. Rutland has maintained his education; he holds two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force and Central Texas College from 1986. Later, he earned a Bachelor of Science in management, graduating summa cum laude from the University of Phoenix in 2009.
Looking toward the future, he plans to hire someone to succeed him as the State Membership Director in the next five to 10 years. He’s dedicated to maintaining the excellence that Washington has achieved so far; last year, he successfully recruited over 50 new members to join the Knights of Columbus and plans to increase those numbers. Now 70, he remains committed to his work and is eager to continue helping others. He has been married to his wife, Emelina, since 1975, and he has three children and six grandchildren.
Press Release
Marquis Who’s Who Honors Michael P. Rutland for Expertise in Military Services and Engineering
Michael P. Rutland enjoyed over 40 years of dedicated service in the military and private sector
FEDERAL WAY, WA, February 07, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Michael P. Rutland has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Rutland has dedicated over four decades to his profession, with a significant portion of his career spent serving in the U.S. Air Force. He served from 1974 to 1998, a Desert Storm Veteran, he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant. During his tenure, he held the position of aircraft armament systems manager, where he was responsible for overseeing the F-22 aircraft armament systems for Air Combat Command. Following his military career, Mr. Rutland transitioned to the private sector, joining The Boeing Company in 1998. He initially served as a training manager for the F-22 program until 2002, after which he became a technical lead engineer and project manager for the F-22 program until his retirement in 2016.
In 2010, Mr. Rutland founded Northwest Motivation and served as its chief executive officer until 2023. The company specialized in assisting individuals achieve their dream of entrepreneurship in the Greater Seattle area. Mr. Rutland’s leadership skills and dedication to mentoring others have been evident throughout his career.
Mr. Rutland’s educational background included receiving an associate degree in general studies from Central Texas College and an associate degree in aircraft armament systems technology from the Community College of the Air Force, both earned in 1986. Years later, he returned to college, acquiring a Bachelor of Science in management, summa cum laude, from the University of Phoenix in 2009. Mr. Rutland’s certifications include a master certificate in applied project management from Villanova University in 2006 and credentials as a fraternal insurance counselor and fraternal insurance counselor fellow through Kaplan University in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Additionally, he received a credential as a life underwriting training council fellow through the College for Financial Planning in 2020.
As a member of the Knights of Columbus for 40 years, Mr. Rutland has held various roles, including Past Grand Knight,Faithful Navigator, District Deputy and Washington State Warden. Since 2021, he has served as the Washington State membership director, overseeing recruitment efforts across 35 districts. Under his guidance, the state achieved the Supreme Knight Circle of Honor for four consecutive years. Moreover, Mr. Rutland’s hard work has been demonstrated through his work in various programs within the Knights of Columbus, such as Special Olympics and Coats for Kids in his local area.
Mr. Rutland has received several accolades, including a Sustained Performance Quality Pride Award from The Boeing Company in 1999 and recognition as the Director of the Year by the Knights of Columbus Washington State Council in 2022 and 2023. He was also decorated with two Meritorious Service Medals, four Commendation Medals, and one Achievement Medal from the U.S. Air Force.
Remaining committed to his role as state membership director for the Knights of Columbus, Mr. Rutland aims to recruit more members to join the organization. He plans to ensure a smooth transition by bringing someone on board to succeed him when he decides to step down.
