In the heartland of America, where the plains stretch wide and the nearest coastline is more than 900 miles away, one man has charted a course that defies convention. Kristian “Kris” Rutford, a seasoned CPA based in Lincoln, Neb., has not only navigated the complexities of tax codes and financial statements but has also conquered some of the most challenging open-water swims in the world.

By day, Rutford is a partner at Labenz & Associates LLC, specializing in personal and business taxation with a focus on banking and closely held businesses. His career in public accounting began in 1981, and over the decades, he has built a reputation for meticulousness and dedication.

“All of us in our firm are in awe of Kris’ swim accomplishments,” said Jan Labenz, a partner at Labenz & Associates. “Imagine having swum more miles than it would take to go around the world. Kris approaches his swimming with the same dedication, work ethic, and commitment to ever-increasing performance that he has always shown in his career as a CPA. He’s up before 5:00 a.m. and into the water each morning, then has a busy day at work, and always has time for his family. He takes it all in stride.”

Rutford has also been a dedicated member of the Nebraska Society of CPAs for 41 years. Over that time, he has served on the Society’s Board of Directors and currently contributes his time and expertise as a member of the NESCPA Foundation Board of Trustees.

“I am proud to be a member of the Nebraska Society,” said Rutford. “The opportunity to work with other CPAs to further the profession and share thoughts and ideas freely helped me grow as a professional.”

Beyond the office walls, Rutford’s passion for swimming has propelled him into the annals of marathon swimming history.

“I began swimming when I was 7 years old and the team needed a kid to complete a relay. A few years after completing my college swimming career, I challenged a friend to swim the English Channel. He did it—and of course I had to prove I could do it as well,” Rutford said. “During my training, I learned goal setting, planning, and commitment. There is no doubt that the experience carried over to my accounting career.”

Rutford’s swimming accolades are as impressive as they are inspiring. He holds the designation as the “King of Manhattan Island,” completing 27 successful circumnavigation swims around Manhattan Island in New York City—more than any other man. In 1993, he won the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, a 28.5-mile circumnavigation of Manhattan Island, and had set a record the previous year with a time of 5 hours and 53 minutes. In addition, he holds the record for the fastest swim across Lake McConaughy in Nebraska—a 22-mile endeavor completed in 9 hours and 9 minutes.

Perhaps most notably, Rutford has achieved the coveted “Triple Crown” of open-water swimming, which includes crossing the English Channel, completing the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, and swimming the Catalina Channel. This trifecta is a testament to a swimmer’s endurance, skill, and mental fortitude, and Rutford’s accomplishment places him among an elite group of athletes worldwide.

“I was never really motivated to complete the Triple Crown until I felt like I needed a different challenge,” explained Rutford. “I did two of the three swims in August of 1988, a time when the Triple Crown had not really been ‘a thing.’ I was eventually encouraged by my peers to get it done. Sometimes you just need to be challenged,” he said. 

His latest chapter may be one of his most extraordinary. In May 2025, at age 65, Rutford successfully swam the Strait of Gibraltar, crossing from Spain to Morocco (Europe to Africa) in just over four hours—a feat made even more remarkable by the journey leading up to it. Just a year earlier, in January 2024, Rutford was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery to have his prostate removed that March. He returned to the water by April 1, training hard for a planned Gibraltar attempt in May 2024. When high winds postponed the swim and ultimately made it impossible that year, Rutford channeled his momentum into completing another Manhattan Island Marathon Swim in August.

But the challenge wasn’t over. In January 2025, he was informed of a “biochemical recurrence” of the cancer and began eight weeks of daily radiation treatments. With the support of his care team—and his own resolve—he continued training, adapting to dietary restrictions and fatigue while keeping his eyes set on his goal. On May 20, 2025, he successfully swam the 10-mile Strait of Gibraltar in 4 hours and 1 minute, accompanied by fellow swimmers Marcia Cleveland, Emily Frank, and Julia Green.

Balancing a demanding professional life with such rigorous preparation has required extraordinary commitment. Over almost 38 years, Rutford has logged an astonishing 29,000 miles in pools and open water, an unimaginable distance that underscores his deep dedication to the sport.

“Most every day starts in the water. I believe I am as committed to my training as I am committed to serving my clients,” he said. “As they say, work hard, play hard.”

“He sets the bar pretty high for the rest of us,” noted Labenz. “His humility means we have to pry him to tell us about his marathon swims. His usual answer is ‘I finished.’ And that’s what is important to Kris. The challenge was there, he took it on, and he finished.”

“None of this could be accomplished without the support of my family and my co-workers,” explains Rutford.

Rutford has been married to Mary, a retired CPA, for 44 years. They have two sons, Robert, 38, and Johnny, 34—both followed in their parents’ footsteps and are CPAs, too! Robert is a partner at KPMG in Omaha; his wife Maggie is also CPA and serves as the assistant regional accounting director and controller at HDR. Johnny is a senior principal in external reporting at Nike in Portland, Ore.; his wife Camila is a weather anchor at KPTV FOX 12 Oregon.

Rutford’s story is not just about medals, records, or destinations reached—it’s about resilience. His belief in staying positive, living fully, and sticking to goals—no matter the obstacle—resonates far beyond the lanes of a pool. Whether navigating the intricacies of tax law or the tides of the Atlantic, Kris Rutford continues to inspire with every stroke.