Tom Rutherford

Tom Rutherford

Co-founder


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Albuquerque, NM USA


Sometimes life is overwhelming. Doing the next right thing is a good byword.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Tom Rutherford

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.
His father was a politician so he grew up helping him out on campaigns.
One day, while he was reading a bill out loud, someone suggested that he should become a radio broadcaster.
When he was 15, he became a disc jockey; he was working for the local NBC station.
For their fiftieth anniversary of broadcasting, they decided to have a hot air balloon race.
He organized 13 balloons to come to Albuquerque to race; afterwards, he stayed interested in hot air ballooning.
His interest in politics continued; in 1972, he won his campaign for state senate and became the youngest state senator in New Mexico's history.
Throughout all of this time, he was struggling with alcoholism; he hit rock bottom, then sobered up around age 46.
His only regret in life had been that he didn't spend enough time with his family; now gets to lobby with his son, an opportunity he calls "a gift."
Keep following my journey

Education

High School
Bachelor
Economics, General
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Doctorate
Law
University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Career

Co-founder

I organize an annual hot air balloon festival that brings over 500+ hot air balloons to Albuquerque.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Politics
Travel
Working with Others

Hurdles

Challenges I Overcame

Drugs / Addiction

Interviewed By

Tempe - Albuquerque

Tempe - Albuquerque

The Roadtrippers start out in hot Tempe, Ariz., where they speak with Todd McFarlane, the creator of the best-selling comic book series Spawn, and Antoine's personal hero. The team is given encouraging advice by Todd to move away from the idea that they "need to have everything now." Next, the team heads to Albuquerque, N.M., where an unfortunate event happens-an unexpected mechanical issue leads the Green RV to catch fire. The Roadtrippers pull over and no one is seriously injured; but emotions are high as the stark realization sets in as to whether they'll be able to continue their journey.