31 Texas Labor Leaders Graduate from the 2024-2025 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy
TEXAS – This week, the Texas AFL-CIO graduated 31 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 students are ready to take on leadership positions in their unions and communities across the state,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy. “They are the future of the Texas labor movement, and 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 Training and Leadership Development Coordinator Lorraine Montemayor oversees the program.
2025 Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy Graduates:
Hannah Alexander
Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) Local 6182
Austin, TX
Jennifer Barborka
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) Local 286
Austin, TX
Gregory Mason Brabbin
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520
Austin, TX
Hector Carrillo
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 278
Corpus Christi, TX
Taylor Channing
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716
Houston, TX
Kelly Ann Gonzalez
Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277
San Antonio, TX
Stephanie Guzman
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 220
Arlington, TX
Chanson Hayes
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 60
San Antonio, TX
Warren Hobbs II
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker (IAM) Local 2930
Fort Worth, TX
Ashley Hummel
Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) Local 6182
Spring, TX
Kenneth Jackson
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 21
Mansfield, TX
Amethyst James
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) HOPE 123
Houston, TX
Jake Lee
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 21
Rowlett, TX
Jackson Market
United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) Local 286
Austin, TX
Shalena Matlock
Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 513
Irving, TX
Brianna Nelson
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) HOPE 123
Spring, TX
Scott O’Flaherty
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 520
Austin, TX
Niyi Oparinde
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 3806
Palestine, TX
Karla Palomares
Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) DFW
Fort Worth, TX
Taylor Rehmet
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker (IAM) Local 776B
Fort Worth, TX
Adrienne Rias
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 1822
Waco, TX
Christopher Salinas
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker (IAM) Local 2916
Corpus Christi, TX
Timothy Thompson
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 278
Corpus Christi, TX
Jeremy Tijerina
International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 31
Houston, TX
Juany Torres
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 1624
San Antonio, TX
Paul Tran
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker (IAM) Local 2916
Corpus Christi, TX
Darwin Ulloa
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Worker (IAM) Local 776B
Fort Worth, TX
Diego Valerio
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 716
Houston, TX
Jose Vega
Communications Workers of America Union (CWA) Local 6210
McKinney, TX
Mariah Warwick
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 20
Fort Worth, TX
Barbara Wilson
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 2516
El Paso, TX
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.
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The Texas AFL-CIO is the state labor federation consisting of 240,000 affiliated union members and advocates for working people in Texas. Learn more at texasaflcio.org