By CASSANDRA MICKENS/Associate Editor

HOOVER — Hoover City Councilman John Lyda has been nominated to travel to Brazil next month as part of the American Council of Young Political Leaders exchange program.

Every year since 1966, ACYPL organizes delegations of eight to 10 political leaders from across the U.S. that represent a diverse cross section of American government and sends those delegations to foreign countries to meet and collaborate with local, state and national officials in those countries.

The exchange program is funded by the U.S. Department of State and private contributions. Eligible nominees are 25 to 40 years old, local or state elected office holders, or political party, policy making, corporate, labor advocacy or grassroots organizing professionals.

“This is an opportunity to take the best practices we have here in Hoover and the state of Alabama, and share our ideas,” said Lyda, who intends to bring Brazil’s best ideas and practices back to Hoover.

ACYPL alumni and state Sens. Cam Ward (R-Alabaster) and Steve French (R-Mountain Brook) nominated Lyda this past November. Lyda will visit Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia, the federal capital of Brazil. He and his fellow delegates will meet at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. before flying to their host country March 20. Lyda is slated to return stateside March 30.

“I am flattered by the opportunity to be considered for such a program,” Lyda said. “This is an incredible opportunity for me to take local best practices and policies to share with those in Brazil and to learn from their government, and will also offer the opportunity for our area to host future delegations from countries around the world.”