Steven Nascimento, a Turlock City Councilman, has been named as the new Executive Director of the Portuguese American Citizenship Project.

“I am very excited to be joining the Project,” Nascimento said. “I believe their work has elevated the profile of Portuguese-Americans in the electoral process, and provides a great resource for those seeking to encourage citizenship in their communities.”

Since 1999, the non-profit PACP has encouraged Portuguese-Americans to become more civically engaged, to obtain citizenship, and to vote. The Project has worked with 52 organizations in 21 communities and five states since its founding.

Nascimento previously served as district director of State Sen. Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres). Before that, he worked as district director for U.S. Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced).

“We believe that Steven’s experience working with elected officials and diverse communities makes him well suited to lead the PACP,” said Dr. Elmano M. Costa, a professor at California State University, Stanislaus and president of the PACP board. “His knowledge of the political and electoral process, as well as his ties to the Portuguese community, will suit him well going forward.”

For more information on PACP, visit www.portugueseamerican.org or e-mail coordinator@portugueseamerican.org.