Michael Rutstein

Experience

• 

  Pennant Publications

  Jan 1990 - Sept 2023

  Owner

  Title: BOSTON BASEBALL, 1990-2019• Dubbed “father of the revolution” in sports publishing by Newsweek, July 1998• Built a crude newsletter into an award-winning, glossy magazine which became the best-selling publication on the Red Sox • Recruited and managed ballpark sales force as well as editorial team • Grew advertising sales 1000% from 1998-2004 • Partnered with local media personalities (Bill Simmons, Jerry Remy, Glenn Stout, Rico Petrocelli) to enhance editorial• Outmaneuvered the Red Sox, the Globe/Metro, and other competitors; steered business through last-place finishes, long-term work stoppage, cancellation of World Series, privatization of Yawkey Way, etc.• Created profitable special issues for All-Star Game, World Series, Ted Williams, Derek Jeter's retirement, etc.Title: EAGLE ACTION, 1993-2022• Replaced insolvent Boston College sports publication and achieved profitability within three years• Developed profitable 900 number (1995) and website (1997)• Transitioned to premium website EagleAction.com (2003), dramatically increasing profitabilityTitle: MARLINSPIKE, 2013-2023• Founded glossy color publication devoted to Tall Ships and Sail Training• Partnered with Tall Ships America to grow subscription base• Developed the largest social-media following in the industry• Produced official programs for Tall Ships Challenge events on West Coast (2007), East Coast (2017)• After 10 years and 40 quarterly issues, transferred subscriber database to SEA HISTORY magazine and assumed columnist position with SH, effective Fall 2023. Show less

• 

  Pennant Enterprises, Inc.

  Feb 2002 - now

  Owner

  • Business earned "Best of the Best" honors from TripAdvisor / Viator, ranking in top 1% of tourist attractions worldwide, based on customer reviews• Developed business plan to build replica of War of 1812 privateer schooner Fame and operate her as a day-sailing business and tourist attraction; achieved profitability within three years• Oversaw and actively participated in construction of $500,000 schooner• Partnered with Essex Shipbuilding Museum to leverage construction phase as both an educational opportunity and marketing campaign• Developed popular and profitable camp and sail-training programs• Partnered with National Park Service and the House of Seven Gables on educational programming • Partnered with National Park Service to present maritime heritage lecture series• Board member: Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, Essex Shipbuilding Museum• USCG Master’s License, 100 tons• Dynamic public speaker to schools, yacht clubs, historical societies• Recruited and managed team of captains, crew and salespeople• Developed "Schooner Camp" program and partnered with Marine Society at Salem to provide camp activities to hundreds of underserved youth• Salem Harbor Port Authority, 2018-2022. Chairman, 2019-2022. Salem attracted over $100M in public and private financing to develop a modern port for Offshore Wind Turbine assembly and support Show less

• 

  City of Salem, Massachusetts

  Apr 2018 - Nov 2022

  Public Servant

  Salem Port Authority, two terms. Served as Chairman of the Port Authority April 2019-November 2022. Resigned to go sailing.