Ricardo Camacho is the Executive Director of Puerto Rican Unity for Progress, responsible for the overall administration of the organization, founded in 1976 as a nonprofit that promotes improved access to economic, social, and cultural opportunities and resources to individuals and their families with special emphasis on the Hispanic Community through the services and advocacy programs offered.

His background includes over 25 years of administrative knowledge working in higher education and over seven years working as an Assistant Dean and Executive Director for the Division of School and Community Academic Programs at Camden County College. In these positions, he was a major contributor in the development and management of the Division and its goals and objectives within the mission of the College. He supervised and directed several grant programs including Federal TRIO programs such as Upward Bound Program and Tech PREP. He worked with Camden County Public Schools in developing College Now programs for high school students. Through his experience in Continuing Education, he worked with the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) and Camden One-Stop. He worked in the creation of the Helms Academy, a successful adult high school completion program offered through Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia. He also led in the development and implementation of grant proposals and awards. He serves as Adjunct Professor of Business for Camden County College.

Prior to Camden County College, Rick directed the ASPIRA of New Jersey program in Camden, NJ. ASPIRA is a student centered nonprofit organization who believes in leadership through education. Its mission is to empower our community through advocacy, education, and leadership development.

In 2014, Rick received the Educational Leader Award through Adelente 2! Hispanic Heritage and Multicultural Celebration, DH/Perfil Latino TV (Telemundo Channel 62, SNJ Today Channel 22). Other honors include Boy Scouts of America- Order of the Arrow in 2008, Camden County Prominent Hispanic Award from the Camden County Freeholders in 2007, Keynote Speaker for Camden City National Job Shadowing Day in 2006, and Camden City Council Commendation in 2002.

Rick served on various boards and committees such as the Cumberland County Technical School STRIVE Program Advisory Board (Students Training Rigorously in Vocational Education for students with special needs.), Channel 6 ABC Community Advisory- Camden City Community Leader, Boy Scouts of America- Assist. Scout Master, Troop #38 Pittsgrove, NJ, Camden County Curriculum Consortium Committee, Camden County Superintendents’ Roundtable, Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) High Schools That Work Visiting Team 2005, Camden City Youth Summit Committee, Middle States-Task Force on Student Services/Community Outreach, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and Big Brother/ Big Sister of Cumberland County Board.

Rick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Rutgers University, Master’s Degree in Business Administration, University of Phoenix, and has completed Doctoral course work in Business Administration, University of Phoenix.

Our Board of Directors

President (Board Chair)

Ms. Nohemi G. Soria-Pérez, Fifth Legislative District, Chief of Staff

Treasurer

Ms. Cruzita Crespo, Crespo Insurance Agency Owner

Secretary

Mr. Dennis Culnan, Phoenix Strategies, Inc. Public Affairs Consultants President

Members

Ms. Joanna Nicasio, Vice President, Store Manager TD Bank