Rural Minds Leadership
“None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.” – Mother Teresa
Meet the Rural Minds Leadership Team
The Rural Minds leadership team sets the strategic path for the organization, supporting our passion for ending the suffering, silence and stigma surrounding mental illness in rural America.
Jeff Winton
Founder and Chairman
Jeff Winton is founder and chairman of Rural Minds. When his nephew, Brooks Winton, died by suicide in 2012, Jeff’s late mother, Elaine, who helped raise Brooks, courageously ignored the guidance of some local community members and urged Jeff to speak at the funeral about Brooks’ struggle. An outpouring of support and hearing from other farm families about their own struggles around mental health convinced him to devote a significant portion of his energies to connecting rural Americans to much-needed mental health services through the nonprofit organization.
Jim Modica
VICE CHAIRMAN
Jim Modica is the Vice Chairman of Rural Minds. He brings more than 30 years of experience in communications and marketing research in areas that include agricultural products, human pharmaceuticals, medical devices, regenerative medical technologies, consumer healthcare, and consumer products.
Chuck Strand
Executive Director and Board Member
As the executive director of Rural Minds, Chuck Strand leads a dedicated team of professionals committed to developing content and opportunities to confront mental health challenges and the stigma that surrounds mental illness in rural communities.
Julie Lux
VICE President of Communications
Julie Lux brings more than 30 years of communications experience in healthcare, animal health, and agriculture to her work with Rural Minds. Her interest in agriculture and farming came about “by marriage.” Julie’s husband, Ron, shared his appreciation of rural America through stories of his many happy times working on his grandfather’s farm in Illinois. Also, because of Ron’s goal to live in the country, which led to their owning a 120+-year-old farm house on 10 acres right in the center of Missouri’s cow-calf producing area.
Don Hannaford
Vice President, Public Policy
Don Hannaford has spent more than 30 years navigating the often-tricky waters of public policy and public affairs—working with everyone from healthcare giants to not-for-profits to scrappy startups trying to make their mark. At Rural Minds, he works to shift perspectives and move the needle on policy, whether that means changing minds inside an organization, winning over stakeholders, or reaching the public.