Veteran Outreach Team
LaShonda Johnson
Case Manager Supervisor
Former U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. LaShonda Johnson is a Houston native who has dedicated her life to service and her family.
LaShonda joined the Marine Corps in 2000, and entered service as a Legal Services Specialist, and subsequently continued to rise up through the ranks to a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer.
She forward-deployed to various locations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom all while continuing her education to earn her two bachelors in Criminal Justice and Health Care Management.
She was then re-assigned to Houston and was put in charge of a Marine Recruiting Substation where she built a strong bond with the Harris County Veteran community. In 2013, LaShonda pursued a career with the Texas State Troopers, but was forced to resign returning home to take care of her family’s needs.
However, her resignation was a blessing in disguise. LaShonda ended up working with her Houston Veteran connections to further serve the community with the Mission Continues, Wounded Warrior Project, Lone Star Veteran Association, Travis Manion Foundation, and the Houston Veteran Affairs (VA) in various leadership roles.
Despite having left active duty, LaShonda continues to serve her community with the service and values of a Marine.
During her time as a Veteran advocate, LaShonda helped usher projects with the Texas State, as her testimonies in front of the Texas Congress were major reasons for the establishment of the Women’s Veterans Day on June 12th, and the deployment of the Women’s Veteran License Plates.
As Hurricane Harvey impacted Harris County, LaShonda lost all of her personal belongings, cars, old uniforms, and even her service animal. Yet after she situated her children, she was immediately back in the community helping others. As a result, the Houston Mayor recognized her contributions and proclaimed Feb. 8th as a Houston Mayor’s day dedicated to LaShonda Johnson.
LaShonda joined the Harris County VSD as the Case Manager Supervisor on October, 2023, and proudly leads the department’s outreach team to help veterans in the community who are unable to reach out otherwise.
Elizabeth Hernandez, LMSW
Veterans Case Manager, Team Lead
Elizabeth is a Houston native with a passion to serve and has more than a decade of experience serving the Harris County community, and other international communities.
After earning her Bachelors in Social Work from Texas State University, Elizabeth started work with the Harris Center’s Mobile Crisis Outreach Team (MCOT) and dealt with crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and emergency case management.
Through the pandemic, Elizabeth transferred to the NeuroPsychiatric Center (NPC) where she assessed and treated people of all ages in acute mental health crises in a hospitalized setting. At the same time, Elizabeth studied and earned a Masters in Social work with an emphasis in Mental Health from the University of Texas at Arlington.
She then transferred to the Harris Center’s Diversion Center, where she interacted closely with formerly incarcerated veterans, and assisted them stabilize their lives and mental health, to re-integrate into the greater Harris County community.
In 2022, Elizabeth became a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and joined the Veteran Services Department (VSD) as a team lead to continue her service to the Harris County Veteran community, and to further mentor new generations of VSD employees who help serve veterans every day.
Since Elizabeth’s time with the VSD, she has immersed herself in veteran culture of all eras and branches. She has learned to eat MREs, field strip and maintain an M16, spoken military lingo, and continued to learn to shoot rifles and pistols.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with my family, friends, and her 5 dogs, Kitten, birds, sugar glider, and turtle. She also enjoys doing arts, crafts and decorating, but most of all she loves to travel.
Danielle Clark
Veterans Program Coordinator
Danielle has had a passion for serving veterans that spans back to her time in Florida when she worked with incarcerated veterans dealing with substance abuse issues.
After Danielle graduated from Edward Waters University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology, she decided to move to Houston in 2022 to be closer to her family. Shortly after, she joined the VSD family and has been an exceptional member of the VSD family due to her extensive knowledge of mental health and her ability to actively listen to clients.
Outside of work, Danielle enjoys hot yoga, traveling, and spending time with family. She also enjoys visiting art museums.
Erica Rosales
Veterans Program Coordinator
Born and raised in Houston, Erica Rosales leans on her experience working in difficult situations along with her certifications in security and Private Investigations to do the important job of Veteran Services Coordinator for our Suicide Prevention Team.
Erica graduated from the University of Houston–Downtown with her bachelor’s in criminal justice and a minor in Psychology. In her last semester, she interned with the VSD and fell in love with the work that was being done for veterans in need.
Erica enjoys being outside and has a passion for protecting nature with her eventual goal of becoming a Texas Game Warden. Erica also enjoys crocheting and reading.
Jose “Nando” Ramirez
Veterans Program Coordinator
Nando was born and raised in south San Jose, California. After finishing High School Nando attended one semester at junior college before joining the Army in March 2002 as an infantryman. After finishing initial entry training (basic training), he was assigned to 1st Infantry Division 1st Battalion 18 Infantry Regiment Schweinfurt Germany.
Nando was apart of Task Force 1/18 deployed to Tikrit as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nando reenlisted and station at Schofield Barracks 1st Battalion 27th Infantry Regiment in Hawaii.
After being Diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, Nando left the Army and move to Houston Texas in 2008 started his career as a railroad subcontractor as Labor, machine operator, and assistant Division manager.
After spending 10 years as a subcontractor, he returned to school and got his Bachelor of Science in Health with a minor in Human Development and Family Services.
In his free time, you can find Nando outdoors fishing, working on cars or motorcycles, or some back road riding his motorcycles.
Korey Rachal
Veterans Program Coordinator
Korey is a Louisiana native and a 14-year combat veteran who still serves in the Texas National Guard. Drawn to service, Korey joined the Army as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Specialist, but has worked in conjunction with many different career fields.
In 2020-2021, Korey deployed to Syria, Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and witnessed many of the hardships that U.S. Servicemembers endured through the fight against ISIL and the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Back at home, Korey worked hard to earn a Bachelor degree in Communications with a focus in Public Affairs. She has stated active in service organizations such as the National Association for Black Military Women and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Korey is a big advocate for veteran mental health and the welfare of soldiers. She cares deeply about how suicide impacts our community and what I can do to advocate for veterans.
On her own time, Korey enjoys are traveling, being outdoors, shopping and cooking. She is also a Jeep enthusiast and enjoys riding with her fellow Jeepers at the Houston Jeep Club.
Jayson Cho
Veterans Program Coordinator
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Daniel Alander
Veterans Program Coordinator
Daniel is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in military service, corrections, community supervision, veteran services, and community outreach.
With more than 15 years of service in the United States Army and Army Reserve, Daniel served in various roles in Military Logistics, Security Planning and Operations, Suicide Prevention and Intervention Instructor, and Unit Armorer. His military background equipped him with valuable skills in personnel management, suicide prevention, crisis intervention, and response.
After his military career, Daniel transitioned into law enforcement as a Correctional Officer, where he excelled as a Field Training Officer (FTO), Defensive Tactics Instructor (DTI), and ultimately became a member of the Special Response Team (SRT).
Following an injury sustained during a critical incident, he was unable to continue his career.
Daniel decided to shift his focus towards directly serving his fellow veterans and first responders where he continues to demonstrate his commitment to supporting fellow Veterans and First Responders through his work within the local communities and on a national level.
Through his latest journey, Daniel has further honed his expertise as a National Veterans Services Coordinator, Lead Veteran and First Responder Outreach Coordinator, and Bond Supervision Officer, where he spearheaded the Veterans Pre-Trail caseload.
In his free time, Daniel loves to be around his rescues and explore the world with his service dog, Pheobe. He also frequents the range and is an avid baseball fan.
Malishya “Mali” Lott
Veterans Program Coordinator
Southeast Houston Native Malishya “Mali” Lott is a passionate veteran, advocate, and professional with a diverse background spanning military service, politics, finance, and social advocacy. She enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school in 2010. During her service, she deployed to Afghanistan with IMEF 1st MHG, led her unit’s supply operations, and actively participated in Marine Corps martial arts.
After honorably completing her military service, Mali stayed in California to pursue her bachelor’s degree, before returning to Houston to be closer to family.
Her professional journey has been extensive, with experience in politics, pharmaceuticals, and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). She is also deeply committed to the veteran community, volunteering with numerous nonprofit organizations whose sole dedication is to supporting veterans.
Her passion for helping veterans is driven by a personal understanding of the challenges military service can bring. As a veteran herself, Mali knows the importance of support, guidance, and community. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, singing, and working out.
Heide Laser
Veterans Program Coordinator
Houston native Heide Laser brings ten solid years of working with multiple, diverse, and justice-involved populations at Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Jail. Inspired by her veteran nephew, she focused her career on helping former service members entangled in the justice system.
Heide was hired by HCSO shortly after receiving her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Houston-Downtown in 2014 with Reentry Services. She was instrumental in the creation of both veteran programs, focusing on reintegration, connection to services, and safety within the justice system. Heide left the HCSO Jail as the Program Coordinator for the largest County jail-based veteran services program in Texas. Her passion for assisting veterans led her to joining our Suicide Prevention team, continuing to give veterans a hand up in the community.
Driven by passion to identify and resolve problems with data-driven, evidence-based practices, Heide has evolved into an advocate, resource broker, and coach for the veteran population. When she’s not helping veterans, you can find her outside fishing or building something like a 40’ long, 12’ wide pirate ship for a friend.
