GEORGE RUTNAM – THE MAN AND HIS ACHIEVEMENTS! – BY DIRK TISSERA
Source: Sri Lankan Anchorman
LOS ANGELES – George Rutnam is a talented Sri Lankan-born businessman. Blessed with an infectious sense of humour and wit, this charmer has done it all in the USA having met the King of Rock, Elvis Presley to boxing legend the great Muhammad Ali and other famous Hollywood celebrities. The Rutnams were one of the first Sri Lankan families to arrive in the US, and have stamped their sheer class in the community.
George Rurnam and Sonya Tucker-Rutnam, the former Miss Sri Lanka (1981) and Miss World 1981 contestant, at the 31st edition of pageant, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK), are proud parents to their two sons, Patrick and Gavin.
In an exclusive in-person interview with The Sri Lankan ANCHORMAN, George shares with me an insight on his life and times both at home in Sri Lanka and his successful onward journey as a teenager to the US.
Q: Give us a small background of your life in Sri Lanka before leaving for the USA? Family, school attended, town you were brought up in and any other interesting tid-bits.
A: I was born on March 4, 1952, in Colombo, Sri Lanka to James and Evelyn Rutnam. Although living at Guildford Crescent opposite the police station did not give me enough time to get into too much trouble, I attended St. Thomas’ Boarding school, Gurutalawa for two years. I was only 12 years old when a surgery mishap claimed the life of my beloved mother at 52 years. Being the youngest of nine children, I was the apple of her eyes and the bond that we shared was an extremely close one. I grappled with this devastating loss and the sudden shock of losing her at such a tender age was extremely traumatic to me. She had visited the US the previous year and nurtured a dream and a vision of sending my siblings and me there for a great education and fulfillment in life in that country.
Q: Was settling down into the USA an easy one?
A: I was only 14 years old when I arrived in Los Angeles, California in April 1966. Still coping with the devastating loss of my mother, I had to deal with the cultural shock of adapting to a completely different country and way of life. We had to settle on the fly and blend into the system, including schooling. Those early years bring back many memories, mostly happy ones, having successfully navigated psychological changes and insecurities that comes with being a teenager. I lived with my brother Chandran, his wife Judy and their young children for four years before I took the plunge and moved out on my own at 18 years.
Times that followed weren’t easy and I had limited experience. Sheer determination, hard work and perseverance paid off as I worked my way up learning the hard way to never take anything for granted. Special mention goes to Judy, my late sister-in- law, who made me feel like I was one of her own children. At 18 years and alone in the US with my future at stake, it was up to me to succeed in life. Thankfully, the good values that my parents instilled in us, coupled with my own wisdom won over and chartered my path to success.
Q: When did you start your freight-forwarding business and who gave you the idea? Tell us something about your business and clientele?
A: I fell into it quite accidentally. I was actually very interested in film and music, while I was in Junior College. After the first year, I got a summer job as a messenger for one of the largest freight forwarding companies thanks to my brother, Jayam, who made an introduction. During that time, I began to acquire the thirst for money and a career. At the end of that summer, management asked me if I would like to stay on as there was a vacancy in the air logistics operations division. I accepted that offer and my career took off.
From there on and within less than a year, I was managing a team in that division. It was 1972 and from there, I worked for a couple more companies finally heading Sales and Operations. I subsequently decided to start my own company as I already had a book of loyal clients who would only work with me, wherever I went. My sister Padmini and brother-in-law, John, helped me with the start-up funding, for which I am ever so thankful. I launched my company Master Forwarding Network Inc. in 1980, handling Forbes 100 Global Brands like Nestle, Lipton, Yum Foods, Haagen Daz and Dreyers, amongst other companies. We also had the distinction of being the first Sri Lankan owned freight forwarder in the US, having secured the Federal Maritime License in 1980. We were also the first freight forwarder handling shipments for the EX PAT Sri Lankan community in the Westcoast, starting in 1990.
Q: When and where did you tie the knot to your wife Sonya Tucker? Would you like to touch on her beauty pageants?
A: Yes, I met her in 1980. While on a holiday, a mutual friend, Carl Fernando, introduced us. For me, it was love at first sight! Sonya was one of five daughters born to Fortune and Edward Tucker (a former Trinity Lion). A good person inside and out, she was a reluctant contestant but her parents and sisters convinced her to participate and she represented Sri Lanka in the prestigious Miss World Pageant in 1981.
After three years of courting, we got engaged in 1984 and were married at St Mary’s Church in Dehiwela with the former minister Mr. Nissanka Wijeratne presiding as our witness. Racial tensions were at an all-time high, but our wedding reception went off very well at the Capri, with a diverse crowd of Sinhalese, Tamils, Burghers, Muslims, and various dignitaries in attendance. At least peace was restored for that night, as we also had a DIG Colombo friend at our reception.
Q: Tell me about how you feel as a dad regards your two son’s Patrick and Gavin’s accomplishments in their respective fields?
A: I am so proud of them both. They achieved their goals and have become exemplary young men, who are respectful, courteous and knowledgeable. The best thing I did was to invest in their education and everything I did with them was first class, with no short cuts. They attended private Catholic schools and private universities and did it pay off! It was not all about money, it was an investment in shaping and building caring men with good character, conscience, and respect! Aside from being a father, I will always live up to my promise to Gavin and Patrick that I will also be their forever friend! Anyone who tells you fatherhood is the greatest thing that can happen to you understand it. Patrick, is an actor, having graduated from New York University Tisch School of Arts and Gavin has his Masters as a licensed (Family Marriage Therapist LFMT). It is always good to have one of those in the family!
Q: I know you are a big time Elvis Presley fan … Have you met Elvis in person and watched him perform live? Also tell us about your meeting with Muhammad Ali and if you ever watched him live in the ring? Any other celebrities you have met?
A: I think that Elvis and Ali, are easily two of the most iconic figures. There have been others but too many. Let’s start with Elvis. I met him in Vegas in 1969, with my sister Padmini. We were at the International Hotel in Vegas, and this was his first engagement. It was awesome, and we were fortunate to go backstage through connections with the famous Don Mills of The Mills Brothers, who were also promoted by the same promoter, Bill Miller. I saw him live in concert between Vegas and Los Angeles about 25 times from 1969 to 1976. These are very poignant and sweet memories. As for Ali, I met him on three different occasions, once at his house in Hancock Park where we spent a couple of hours by the fireplace chatting about Sri Lanka, religion, and life. His wife Veronica was there at the time, and we had her dressed in a sari!
On another occasion, we were in Vegas at a big party attended by lots of celebrities after the Spinks-Holmes fight. Ali was at the next table, and we had a another long chat. I also met Colonel Tom Parker at the same event and told him how huge Elvis was in Sri Lanka.
Q: What made you settle down in Los Angeles?
A: Los Angeles has got the works! It has everything – the weather, mountains, snow, and great diversity. I can’t see myself living in any other place than Los Angeles. It’s the entertainment capital of the world, lots of red carpet events, and great sports teams, like the Dodgers, Lakers and the Kings.
Q: You said you were present with your brother Chandran Rutnam when Robert Kennedy was assassinated. Tell us what that fateful day was like?
A: It was June 5, 1968, a sad day for America and the world. It was also a very sad day on a personal level for my brother Chandran and me. RFK Senior was campaigning for the Presidential Primaries in California. Chandran was a campaign supporter, and he was privy to his schedule. We were distributing campaign advertising in the two months preceding all over Los Angeles, pushing voters to vote for RFK. Three days before the assassination, we greeted him at the Orange County Airport, now called John Wayne Airport. Back then it was a small airport and there was no security with mostly smaller aircraft landing there. Knowing RFK’s schedule, we went to greet him as he landed. There wasn’t a big crowd. My cousin, Roger, and I were 15 and 12 respectively at the time and we were the first to reach him as he got off the twin engine aircraft. He lifted us in his arms one on each side, regrettably, there were no cameras, as that picture would speak volumes today. Chandran, of course, was with us, and met him.
A few days later, he was winning the primary and on June 5, 1968, there was a celebration planned at the former Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles, mainly for his campaign workers and supporters. We were in the back of the room when we heard like balloons popping off. It turned out to be gun shots and RFK was gravely wounded fighting for his life. Most of the others shot were taken past us, but RFK was whisked away through the kitchen into the ambulance and to the Good Samaritan Hospital where he died the following day. It was a traumatic experience and I wondered what the hell life was about, when the good were taken away from us. It was inconceivable for a 15-year-old and very hard to comprehend. Hard lessons that only God can answer!
Q: I know you cook a mean crab curry … how did you learn how to cook it? What’s your favorite food?
A: Alone in this big country at 18 years and with no Indian or Sri Lankan restaurants, there was no choice but for me to learn on the fly. However, the crab specialty came in years later. The key is the ingredients, and a special touch of the Chef’s key cooking secrets combined with the timing of the cooking procedure.
Q: How well do you get along with the Sri Lankan community in Los Angeles? And how often do you travel to Sri Lanka?
A: I get along very well with the Sri Lankan community. We were one of the first early families in the Los Angeles community with about six families who would get together often and that was it. Slowly, the numbers started growing and now it is a totally different animal, so to speak developing into a very big community here in LA. I have been involved in the Sri Lanka American Association of Southern California, as a founder member in 1972 and we keep involved in the community’s affairs and events.
I travel to Sri Lanka, once a year during Christmas when it’s decorated beautifully to visit family and friends and the house is filled with lots of expats and lots of events, too. Those are great times!
Q: What is your ultimate dream in life? And who has been your inspiration in life?
A: My inspiration, I would say would be three of my biggest influencers, Presley, Ali and Lennon, in that order. God knows how I survived when I lost my mother at age 12. Losing her at that age was very traumatic, but listening to Elvis’s music particularly his gospel songs, gave me hope and inspiration.
My dream in life would be to see both my sons get married and making me a grandfather! What better dream than that! Hint for my sons: ‘Guys get going, I ain’t getting younger!’
Q: What are your interests in life and hobbies if any?
A: Anything to do with music and movies interests me. Cooking is a hobby and I love estate sales, influenced by my mother and the hunt to find unique items at a bargain. I also collect rare vinyl records, coins and art.
Q: In a nutshell … tell us a little about your daily routine and what makes you tick?
A: I work hard, and I play hard. But this past year I have slowed down the “play hard part”. Daily routine is work, exercise, and relax by watching my favorite television shows. On the weekends, I love to go out to concerts, movies, and fine dining. And oh yes, anything that has humor in it. Because without humor, life would be boring.
