Telephone call reveals Cape ties between two Treasury employees

Cape Girardeau native discovers Cape Girardeau A common interest with her Washington DC coworker

When Teresa Rutledge phoned in an order to Knaup's Floral in Cape Girardeau she soon discovered Chris Walker, a St. Louis native, had ties to her hometown of Cape Girardeau. The two now work in Washington DC on the economic reconstruction of Iraq. Pictured from left, are, Teresa Rutledge senior International advisor of the U.S. Treasury Department; John W. Snow treasury secretary and Chris Walker U.S. Treasury Department staff.Southeast Missourian

When Teresa Rutledge of Great Falls, Va., wanted to send flowers to her mom for Mother's Day last year, she placed a phone call to Knaup Floral in Cape Girardeau.

Her call piqued the interest of a co-worker on the U.S. Treasury Department's Iraq Financial Task Force, Chris Walker. His cousin is co-owner of Knaup Floral.

Rutledge is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. H.D. Rutledge of Cape Girardeau. She graduated from Central High School in 1975, attended Southeast Missouri State University and the University of Missouri, graduating in 1979.

St. Louis native Walker is the son of Wayne and Mary Walker of St. Louis. His mother, formerly Mary Schonhoff, is the daughter of Alphonse "Felix" and Anna Schonoff (formerly Anna Knaup), owners of the Schonhoff Dairy in Cape Girardeau. His cousin, Kathy Knaup Landewee, is co-owner of Knaup Floral with her husband, John. He is also related to the Compas family in Cape Girardeau. While growing up, Walker visited Cape Girardeau several times a year.

Walker and Rutledge have worked together since early last year at creating support for the coalition provisional authority's role in the postwar stabilization, administration and reconstruction of Iraq. Their work includes technical assistance to Iraqi financial institutions, analysis of financial policy and legal issues and coordination with other parts of the U.S. government.