27 Texas labor leaders graduate from the 2026 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy
TEXAS – This week, the Texas AFL-CIO graduated 27 labor leaders from the Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy, a one-year program that focuses on building organizing, political, legislative, and leadership skills while building solidarity across unions in Texas.
“These graduates are ready to take on leadership positions in their unions and communities across the state,” said Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor. “As union membership in our state continues to grow, these leaders will take us into the future. We are so proud of all they have and will accomplish.”
The training academy course is managed by the Texas AFL-CIO – in partnership with affiliate unions, local unions and Central Labor Bodies – to help grow and support the next generation of union leaders in Texas. Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Lorraine Montemayor oversees the program.
The Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy program is named after Ruth Ellinger (1919-2007), who served as the Texas AFL-CIO Education Director beginning in 1972. Ellinger was active in trade union, civil rights, and grassroots organizing throughout her life. She created the annual AFL-CIO Youth Conference and Labor Law Schools. After she retired she founded and directed the Union Learning Center, a literacy program sponsored by the Texas AFL-CIO.
Interested in learning more about future Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy classes? Sign up here.
2026 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy Graduates:
Andres Bocanegra
La Joya American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 4632 & Rio Grande Valley Central Labor Council
Mission, TX
Taylor Cavin
Education Austin - American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 2048
Austin, TX
Dan Davis
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) 31
Houston, TX
Nathan Fernandes
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624
Austin, TX
Noah Fisher
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716
Katy, TX
Christopher Gomez
Teamsters Local 988
Dallas, TX
Monica Gonzalez
National Nurses United (NNU - NNOC Texas)
Bertram, TX
Stephen Kerr
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60
Converse, TX
Josh Kirkland
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 278
Corpus Christi, TX
Attela Lewis
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220
Crowley, TX
Roscoe McCormick
Education Austin - American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Local 2048
Austin, TX
Brenda Middleton
American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 299
Austin, TX
Corry Moore
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624
Pflugerville, TX
Trey Perez III
United Steel Workers (USW) Local 13-2001
Houston, TX
Bridget Reyes
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 278
Corpus Christi, TX
Rebecca Roberson
United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) Local 286
Cedar Creek, TX
Christopher Rodriguez
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716
Houston, TX
Hayley Rodriguez
United Association of Plumbers (UA) Local 68
Corpus Christi, TX
Patricia Russell
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220
Fort Worth, TX
Derick Sanders
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220
Fort Worth, TX
Micah Schweitzer
United Association of Plumbers (UA) Local 68
Pasadena, TX
Daniela Silva
National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW) UAW Local 2320
Austin, TX
Yulanda Veltz
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) HOPE 123
Hockley, TX
Anastasia Villarreal
National Nurses United (NNU - NNOC Texas)
Austin, TX
Lectoria White
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 66
Houston, TX
Maileen Williams
United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 276
Burleson, TX
Paula Williams
Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 6215
Arlington, TX
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The Texas AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) is the state labor federation consisting of more than 250,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org