James B. Pepper Rutland | MMR Recognized as Business Report's Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. – MMR was recognized by Greater Baton Rouge Business Report and the Greater Baton Rouge Society of Human Resource Management (GBR SHRM) as one of Baton Rouge’s “Best Places to Work.” Of the companies selected for the distinguished list, MMR ranked 15th in the “Large Company: 250 or More U.S. Employees” category and 49th overall.

“MMR strives to provide employees with an exceptional workplace rarely found elsewhere. We seek to cultivate a family-oriented, laid-back environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.” said MMR President/CEO James “Pepper" Rutland. “We are especially proud to be listed as one of the ‘Best Places to Work in Baton Rouge’ and attribute this achievement to the fellowship, ambition and solidarity prevalent in our workforce.”

The esteemed Best Places to Work Program identifies and celebrates outstanding places of employment in the nine-parish Capital Region. Companies named on the list prioritize the employee, investing in workplace culture and placing an emphasis on personal growth and wellness. Business Report honored and recognized this year’s winners with a ceremony at The Crowne Plaza in Baton Rouge, La. on Tuesday, October 4.

Business Report partnered with GBR SHRM and Workforce Research Group to pinpoint defining factors of extraordinary workplaces in the Baton Rouge community based on a series of comprehensive assessments. Best Companies Group, an independent national firm, surveyed employees at participating organizations concerning workplace attributes like leadership and planning, corporate culture, training and development. Analysts used employee responses as well as an employer survey to compile a thorough, finalized ranking.

MMR provides diverse career opportunities for prospective employees. To learn more about careers at MMR, click here.

ABOUT JAMES B. PEPPER RUTLAND

It is no surprise that with his passionate involvement in the field of construction, James B. Pepper Rutland would build his career in this very industry. Few people have the motivation and determination to build their own company, which is what Rutland did 19 years after gaining his Bachelor’s degree.

In 1991, James B. Pepper Rutland founded MMR Group Inc., an electrical and instrumentation firm that went on to gain immense success. MMR currently holds the title of the largest privately-owned merit shop electrical and instrumentation contractor in the United States. This success is largely due to the company’s extremely wide skill set. MMR is consistently recognized at the top of ENR’s (Engineering News-Record) Specialty Contractors List.

Currently, Pepper Rutland attended the 2022 Business Awards Hall, held at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center, which included a special video tribute to Pepper’s life and legacy, highlighting his upbringing in the Capital City, his journey through academics and athletics, and how lessons learned that have been key ingredients to maintaining a successful business for the last 30 years. That night he was honored by Business Report and Junior Achievement at the 2022 Business Awards Hall of Fame Gala for his contributions in leading the MMR Group, one of the largest privately-owned electrical and instrumentation contractors in the US. Rutland’s passion and entrepreneurial spirit have without a doubt shaped the industrial construction industry and provided thousands of careers for families across the globe.

Through MMR, Pepper Rutland has given back to his alma mater LSU. MMR has donated over $1 million to the LSU College of Engineering, earning a spot in the Society for Engineering Excellence, a group created by the LSU College of Engineering. In addition to these donations, MMR provides internships and summer job opportunities to students.

Rutland gives back not only to his alma mater, but also to his community. Rutland combines his love of sports and his philanthropic morals as a founding member of the Miracle League at Cypress Mounds. This organization coaches children with disabilities to play baseball. Rutland is also a board member of LSU’s Charles McClendon Scholarship Foundation. This Scholarship provides children of athletes with financial aid to attend LSU and move toward success.