Staff

Russell Cook
Executive Director

Russell Cook joined the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange in July 2016 as the Information Systems Manager, and he has dedicated the last seven years to ensuring the success of Nevada’s state-based exchange platform, NevadaHealthLink.com. He played an integral role transitioning the Exchange’s operations from HealthCare.gov to NevadaHealthLink.com in 2019, and since then he’s worked steadily to improve the user experience for the Exchange’s consumers and enrollment partners. Russell assumed his new role as Executive Director on August 14, 2023. As a Northern Nevada native he attended Carson High School in Carson City, NV, and he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Production from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.

Janel Davis
Chief Operations Officer

Janel Davis served as the Communications Director at the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange for seven years. In April 2022, Janel was named the Exchange’s Chief Operations Officer. In her role as Communications Director, Janel managed the marketing & advertising vendor during open enrollment and special enrollment periods and developed integrated communication strategies and outreach campaigns. Prior to the Exchange, Ms. Davis worked at the Nevada State Legislature as a Committee Secretary in the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services and Commerce and Labor, as well as the Education and Transportation Committees. Janel graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications.

Jonathan Lopez
Chief Finance Officer

Jonathan Lopez joined the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange in October 2021 as the Chief Financial Officer. Previously, he worked at the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health as an Administrative Services Officer (ASO) where he oversaw multiple budget accounts. Prior to being an ASO, he was the fiscal manager for the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion section where he managed various federal grants and state funds. Jonathan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Shae Starbuck
Quality Assurance Manager

In December 2021, Shae Starbuck was promoted to Quality Assurance Manager. Shae joined the Silver State Health Exchange as a Program Officer in September of 2019. Shae has spent over 3 years in the Medical field. Prior to joining the Exchange Shae worked for Aguirre Health Care as an assistant denials manager. She is very excited to bring her knowledge of working with carriers to the Exchange team. Shae enjoys going to the gym and spending time her family on the Rubicon Trail.

Katie Charleson
Communications Officer

Katie Charleson joined the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange as IT Analyst in August of 2019, where she supported the communications department through marketing strategy and monitored systems within the NevadaHealthLink.com platform, especially during peak times like during Open Enrollment. In May 2022, Katie was named the Exchange’s Communications Officer.

Max Borgman

Information Systems Manager

Since September 2023, Max Borgman has led technological innovation as the Information System Manager at the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange. With extensive experience from Nevada’s Department of Taxation, including as IT Manager for Application Development, Max’s career began in October 2012. His roles have ranged from Scrum Master to Production Support Supervisor. Max, a Certified Public Manager, is adept at leading tech initiatives. He also volunteers in park maintenance and youth basketball coaching, reflecting his community commitment. At the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, Max is focused on enhancing healthcare technology for Nevadans.

Meagan Ranson
Policy and Compliance Manager

Meagan Werth Ranson is the Policy and Compliance Manager at The Exchange, where she oversees the development and implementation of policies to ensure the organization’s adherence to regulatory standards. Meagan joined The Exchange in May 2021 as the Plan Certification Manager, where she played a pivotal role in managing the certification process, ensuring that plans met industry standards and regulatory expectations.

With a solid background in policy review and compliance, Meagan brings extensive experience in helping the Exchange navigate complex regulatory frameworks and maintain robust compliance practices. Her expertise includes reviewing and refining policies, identifying compliance risks, and driving proactive solutions to ensure compliance across all levels of the organization.

At The Exchange, Meagan works to mitigate risks and keep the organization aligned with both state and federal regulatory requirements, all while fostering a culture of transparency and ethical governance.

Outside of her professional life, Meagan is dedicated to raising her children and balancing her career with family life. She is deeply committed to the values of integrity and transparency, both in her personal and professional life, and believes in making a positive impact through responsible leadership and decision-making.