Priority Veteran is proud to welcome two new program directors: Casey Todd, leading services in the Florida Panhandle, and Erika Williams, directing the Alabama team. Both bring years of experience and a shared commitment to helping veterans and their families find the stability and support they deserve.
A United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) program in the Community Initiatives Department, Priority Veteran provides critical services to U.S. military veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at immediate risk of losing housing.
Casey Todd Brings Passion and Experience to Florida
For Casey Todd, the work is both professional and personal. Growing up in a military family, she experienced frequent relocations, supported loved ones through deployments and gained firsthand insight into the challenges and strengths of military life.
Casey holds a Master’s in Psychology from the University of West Florida and is licensed as a Professional Counselor in Colorado and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. She has built programs from the ground up and, as Program Director of Priority Veteran in Florida, oversees daily operations while forging partnerships to strengthen community impact. Here are some takeaways from a recent conversation.
Q: What inspires you about Priority Veteran’s mission?
A: “I want to be part of the movement to end homelessness for our military veterans,” said Casey. “They took enormous risks to protect this country, and they deserve that same safety and security in return.”
Q: What excites you most about leading this program right now?
A: “I love program development, staff development and building strong community relationships. Joining the Florida team within its first year gives me the chance to do all three.”
Outside of work, Casey enjoys spending time with her family through activities such as biking, swimming, skating and playing yard games. She is also a dedicated runner, having completed several half marathons as well as shorter races!
In Alabama, Erika Williams Strengthens Connections for Veterans
Erika Williams brings more than 20 years of social work leadership experience to her role, spanning medical social work, foster care, homeless youth programs and higher education. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, her Master of Social Work from Alabama A&M University and her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Alabama in 2022 as part of the program’s first graduating class.
Before stepping into the role of Program Director, Erika served as Community Initiatives’ Compliance Director, during which time she supported Priority Veteran’s CARF accreditation — a badge of quality and accountability. She said she was impressed by Priority Veteran long before she joined the team, and when the opportunity arose to play a part, she knew it was right for her. Here’s a little more insight into why the job appeals to her so much.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: “The opportunity to see people grow — whether it’s veterans reaching their goals or staff developing new skills — is what keeps me going,” said Erika. “I am especially excited to be working alongside one of my former students and seeing her professional growth.”
Q: What do you want the community to know about your approach?
A: “I believe in being consistent and clear. Veterans and staff both deserve to know they have someone in their corner who is working alongside them to find solutions.”
Her days are filled by supporting staff, meeting with VA teams, reviewing data and maintaining accreditation standards. Outside of work, Erika enjoys time with her grandchildren, stays active in her sorority and admits she has a favorite pastime: playing games on her phone.
Continuing the Mission
Casey Todd and Erika Williams join a dedicated Priority Veteran team, positioning the program to continue its mission of helping veterans and their families build stability and thrive