History

  • 1976
    National Association of Latino Democratic Officials is founded by U.S. Representative Edward R. Roybal who served as President until 1999.
  • 1978
    Organization changes its name to NALEO to reflect nonpartisan status and inclusion of all Latino public officials. Articles of Incorporation are signed by U.S. Representatives Edward R. Roybal, Herman Badillo, E. (Kika) de la Garza, and Jaime Benitez.
  • 1979
    Ed Avila becomes the first NALEO Executive Director. The first fundraiser for NALEO is held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dionicio Morales.
  • 1981
    NALEO Educational Fund is established to carry out mission of increasing Latino political participation in the country; Dr. Harry P. Pachon is named Executive Director of organization and U.S. Rep. Roybal serves as Chair.
  • 1984
    NALEO Educational Fund releases its first National Hispanic Roster of Elected Officials, with 3,128 Latinos serving in public office.
  • 1987
    NALEO Educational Fund moves its headquarters from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles, Calif.
  • 1993
    NALEO Educational Fund opens office in New York City to advance civic engagement efforts in New York and the northeast. Harry P. Pachon steps down as Executive Director, becomes Board Chair.
  • 1994
    Arturo Vargas is named Executive Director of NALEO Educational Fund.
  • 1999
    Maricopa County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox elected NALEO Educational Fund Chair.
  • 2000
    NALEO Educational Fund designates its naturalization assistance and civic participation programs the Harry P. Pachon Civic Engagement Program.
  • 2006
    Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia elected NALEO Educational Fund Chair.
  • 2007
    NALEO Educational Fund joins partners to launch ya es hora campaign to build on momentum of 2006 immigration marches.
  • 2008
    Over 25,000 Latinos registered to vote on the ya es hora campaign’s website www.yaeshora.info.
  • 2009
    Florida State Representative Juan C. Zapata elected NALEO Educational Fund Chair.
  • 2010
    NALEO Educational Fund opens an office in Orlando, Florida.
  • 2010
    NALEO Educational Fund becomes a core member of the newly formed New Americans Campaign.
  • 2012
    Dallas Mayor Pro Tem Pauline Medrano elected NALEO Educational Fund Chair.
  • 2016
    NALEO Educational Fund celebrates 35th anniversary promoting full Latino civic participation and enhancing the leadership abilities of our nation’s Latino public servants. City of West Hollywood Councilmember John Duran elected to serve as NALEO Educational Fund Chair.
  • 2017
    NALEO Educational Fund opens Arizona office as part of new initiative aimed at improving educational outcomes of Arizona youth.