Rod has served as Director of Housing Services since September 1996, when the position was created. His involvement with WCO dates to the founding of the organization when he was serving as the Metro Councilman representing the Woodbine area. As Councilman, he was instrumental in creating the Woodbine Community Center and obtaining the funding to convert the old Woodbine school building into the Woodbine Community Center. After leaving the Metro Council, Williams served as a WCO Steering Committee member for two years. In 1996, he began volunteering to teach Homebuyers Club classes. As a volunteer, Williams wrote the grant that obtained United Way funding for the Homebuyers Club program. He was then hired to fill the Director of Housing position.

Rod has an extensive background in community development and real estate finance. He worked for the Metro Development and Housing Agency as a Housing Rehabilitation Services Advisor for four years. During his eleven years on the Metro Council, he served on the Planning and Zoning committee for eight years and for four years he served as Chairman of the Federal Grants Review Committee. This committee had the responsibility for evaluating all Federal Grants received by the city of Nashville and examined community development issues facing the Metro Council.

Rod earned a BS degree in Economics and Political Science from East Tennessee State University.