Jim KennedyChief Operating Officer

Jim Kennedy brings a wealth of experience in healthcare operations, military leadership, and entrepreneurship to his role as Chief Operating Officer of Phoenix Rural Health, LLC.

A native of rural Overton County, Tennessee, Jim began his career in the late 1970s as a Medical Technologist working in rural hospitals across the region. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration from Cumberland University and joined Rural Hospitals of America in the mid-1980s, where he played a key role as an operations specialist. In that position, he supported the acquisition and operational integration of rural hospitals and clinics throughout the southeastern United States.

In the late 1980s, Jim returned to active duty in the United States Army. Over the course of his distinguished 32-year military career—serving in both the active and reserve forces—he held command at the battalion and brigade levels and served in high-level operational roles at the Corps, Army, and Department of the Army levels. He deployed in support of combat operations in Iraq and briefly in Bosnia, retiring in 2008 with the rank of Colonel.

Following his military service, Jim launched and successfully exited several businesses, including a government contracting firm, a service-based company, and a manufacturing enterprise. He attended the U.S. Army War College and holds advanced degrees from Averett University (MBA, Finance) and the United States Naval War College (M.A., National Security and Strategic Studies).

Jim and his wife make their home in Cookeville, Tennessee. They have one grown son and remain active in their community.