James ‘Pepper’ Rutland tells of leadership lessons learned as an LSU Tiger By Deanna B. Narveson - January 23, 2024 James "Pepper" Rutland, 2022 Hall of Fame laureate. (Collin Richie) FacebookXLinkedinEmailPrint As the founder, president and CEO of MMR Group, a large electrical and instrumentation firm based in Baton Rouge, James “Pepper” Rutland knows a thing or two about leading a team. Already an INSIDER? Sign in.