3RNET Board of Directors
Our non-profit organization has a nine-member board of directors.
Ann Cranford, Tennessee
President
Ann Cranford is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Tennessee. She has led 3RNET coordination in Tennessee since 2003, and this is her third term as a Board Member. Ann joined the board again because as a past member she knows the board is always looking for ways to improve how rural recruitment is done and she really enjoys being a part of that.
For Ann, 3RNET means, “FAMILY. It is the one place to I can turn to get assistance on how to provide services to the facilities in my state and how I can help those persons who are new to recruitment. The platform for 3RNET is growing in a world that is recognizing rural recruitment as important if not more important than urban recruitment and I am happy to be a part of that. I really appreciate how the organization continues to make the process better for our participants. I am very thankful to be part of an organization that believes in helping the rural health community.
Ann lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
Nicole Breton, Maine
Treasurer
Nicole Breton is 3RNET's Network Coordinator in Maine. Nicole has been Maine's 3RNET Network Coordinator for 10 years. This is her first term as a Board Member. As a member of the State Office of Rural Health community, she values 3RNET as a national resource that helps rural healthcare organizations address workforce recruitment and retention challenges.
Nicole appreciates the way 3RNET connects SORH staff with the expertise, resources, and relationships they need to support their communities. She recognizes that addressing workforce challenges does not require every office to solve every problem independently, but rather to identify the right resources, build connections, and provide or facilitate technical assistance.
“I love the mission of 3RNET and what we have been able to accomplish with 3RNET,” Nicole shares. “Our office has valued the partnership with 3RNET and everything they bring in expertise on rural workforce recruitment.”
Nicole is based in Benton, Maine.
Marie Grady, Ohio
Marie Grady is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Ohio. She has led 3RNET coordination for Ohio since 2018. This is her first term as a 3RNET Board Member.
“My motivation is the FQHCs in Ohio. I want to combat our recruitment and retention issues in the FQHCS and support our HR professionals with as many resources and trainings as possible to support them in workforce development,” Marie said.
For Marie, 3RNET means, “Employee engagement, recruitment, retention, workforce development, marketing enhancement and leadership development to help our partners become the best leaders in healthcare.”
Marie lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Faith Johnson, Washington
Faith Johnson is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Washington. She has been involved with 3RNET for seven years, including several years as the Washington 3RNET Network Coordinator. This is Faith's first term as a 3RNET Board member.
Faith became involved with the 3RNET Board because she believes deeply in the organization’s mission and its impact on rural and underserved communities. Through her work in Washington, she has seen firsthand how connecting the right healthcare professionals with the right communities can create meaningful opportunities and strengthen access to care.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to share what I’ve learned in Washington, learn from other states, and help 3RNET continue to grow and strengthen its support for rural communities across the country,” Faith shares.
For Faith, 3RNET is an essential part of her workforce recruitment work. While she sometimes describes it as a “job board for rural areas,” she emphasizes that the Network offers much more than job postings. It serves as a bridge between healthcare professionals seeking meaningful opportunities and communities working to improve access to healthcare.
“3RNET represents connection, opportunity, and the ability to make a real difference,” Faith says. “It helps me do my job more effectively, but more importantly, it allows me to help both people and communities fulfill their goals.”
Faith is based in Washington State.
Sara Leahy, Colorado
Sara Leahy is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Colorado. Sara has led 3RNET coordination for Colorado since 2008. This is her second term as a 3RNET Board Member.
Sara was motivated to be involved on the 3RNET board to, “Provide leadership and support to the staff and members of 3RNET. I have a lot of experience, but also a lot to learn from the board and workforce leaders in other states. Being on the 3RNET Board of Directors is a great access to this information, while also providing a deeper level of guidance and oversight to 3RNET as an organization.”
For Sara, 3RNET is, “A true collaboration! 3RNET provides a network of individuals that all have a shared and genuine expertise, and motivation and passion to reduce the workforce shortage rural and underserved communities. Without having this unique access, my team would not be able to provide quality services and resources to continue building our healthcare workforce in our own state.”
Sara lives in Aurora, Colorado.
Trixie Lacas, Oregon
Secretary
Trixie Lacas is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Oregon. She has led 3RNET coordination in Oregon since 2022, and this is her first term as a Board Member.
Trixie said of joining the 3RNET Board, “3RNET is the primary source of the recruitment efforts utilized by our office, the Oregon Office of Rural Health. Participating at the board level allows me to be a part of this continually evolving organization, and an opportunity to sit at the table where I can hopefully contribute to this organization and its mission.”
“3RNET is a strong community that is focused on serving the needs of our rural and underserved areas across the United States by promoting the great opportunities that are available in working within these locations,” Trixie said.
Trixie lives in Milton-Freewater, Oregon.
Kimberly Thompson, New York
Kimberly Thompson is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for New York. She has led 3RNET coordination in New York since 2020.
Kimberly received a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and Business from Springfield College and holds a Master of Public Health from the University at Albany’s School of Public Health. In addition to 3RNET, Kimberly also has experience in grant contract administration, program monitoring and data collection and analysis.
For Kimberly, 3RNET is a resource with the ability to make a significant impact throughout rural areas and her priority is to share all that 3RNET has to offer with as many professionals and facilities as possible.
Kimberly is excited to serve on the 3RNET board and learn from the other board members while contributing to the continued growth and evolution of 3RNET.
Kimberly lives in Mechanicville, New York.
Carrie Torgersen, Utah
Carrie Torgersen is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Utah. She has coordinated 3RNET activities in Utah since 2016. This is Carrie’s first term as a 3RNET Board Member.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact 3RNET can make. I’ve worked with facilities that struggled for years to fill open positions, but after posting their opportunities on 3RNET, they began receiving interest and successfully filling those roles. In another part of my work, I support individuals pursuing health careers, many of whom later reach out wanting to return and serve in rural Utah. 3RNET is the best tool I have to connect them with the rural jobs they’re looking for,” Carrie said of joining the 3RNET Board.
“To me, 3RNET means finding the right person for the right location doing the right job. It takes a special kind of individual to live, work, and truly connect with rural Utah communities. 3RNET provides the tools and resources to make those meaningful connections possible,” Carrie added.
Carrie lives in Koosharem, Utah.
Brent Wright, Kentucky
Brent Wright is the 3RNET Network Coordinator for Kentucky. He has led 3RNET coordination in Kentucky since 2018, and this is his first term as a Board Member.
“The mission of 3RNET is what motivated me to become involved at the board level along with the encouragement of numerous 3RNET members. Now more than ever we see the importance of grassroots networks in assuring that our rural communities are well served with healthcare professionals. Life in a modestly sized community does not have to be seen as disadvantaged. Those of us who know realize that communities are the foundation of our country, and they cannot be lost. 3RNET has the infrastructure to make a difference in Rural America and if a difference is being made, that is where I want to be,” Brent said.
“My career has been in graduate medical education. Graduate medical education programs or residency programs are like the finishing schools for young men and women completing their medical education. However, a successful career does not end with training, it takes the collaboration with recruitment and placement professionals to make sure individuals are in the right place for their career, their lives, and enrich the lives of others. 3RNET understands that collaboration is vital to successful rural communities throughout the country. 3RNET is the champion of rural communities that does not need the limelight or the praise; however, it is important for those dedicated to Rural America that 3RNET be seen as the loyal advocate to the communities they serve. I hope that I can effectively contribute to the 3RNET Board over the next two years by serving the needs of Rural America and our constituents,” Brent adds.
Brent lives in Louisville, Kentucky.
Jessica Seel, South Carolina
Past President
Jessica Seel joined the South Carolina Office of Rural Health in 2018 as the workforce program manager. She currently serves as Director of Behavioral Health Initiatives & Workforce Development.
In her role as Director of Behavioral Health Initiatives, Jessica leads SCORH’s efforts to eliminate barriers to mental healthcare and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness and substance use within rural communities. This work includes suicide prevention programs, and collaborations to address substance use disorder (SUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). Jessica is the program lead for the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), a statewide consortium of partners to integrate behavioral healthcare, primary care, and the treatment of infectious diseases associated with SUD/OUD.
In her role as Director of Workforce Support, Jessica works to attract and retain physicians, advanced practice providers, and other essential providers to rural and medically underserved communities. She also connects students and clinicians to state and national programs that support long-term rural retention.
A Columbia native, Jessica received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Columbia College and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of South Carolina. Prior to joining SCORH, she worked in the healthcare field in various capacities including marketing, management and community education.
Jessica serves on the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Physician Assistant Advisory Council, the board of directors for the Rural Recruitment and Retention Network, and the board of directors for Carolinas Association of Physician Services. She enjoys running, exercising, spending time on Lake Murray and cheering for the Gamecocks.