Rutherford was yesterday unveiled as the new chief executive of the Northern Districts Cricket Association, starting on April 7.
The former New Zealand captain and long-serving Otago batter has spent much of his post-cricket career in the horse racing and betting industries.
He was most recently chief operating officer of the Albion Park Harness Racing Club in Brisbane.
Rutherford is a former Northern Districts director and has also had cricketing stints as a selector, a coach and a media pundit.
He said he was privileged to be offered the role.
"I understand and I am excited by the great responsibility that comes with this role," Rutherford said.
"Thanks to the work of the current administration, the game in the Northern Districts catchment has strong fundamentals in place.
"I want to ensure we build on this momentum so Northern Districts cricket continues to thrive — from local parks to our association’s biggest grounds."
NDCA chairman Braedon Makgill said the board was delighted to enlist someone of Rutherford’s calibre.
"Ken has a unique combination of a strong management skillset and a passion for the game of cricket," Makgill said.
"Ken impressed with his wealth of knowledge of the challenges facing cricket — both the professional and community game.
"Importantly, too, Ken is someone with strong relationship skills who is capable of building and evolving our strategic direction and working closely with our six district associations in this regard." — APL
