Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy Announces Retirement; Leonard Aguilar & Lorraine Montemayor Elected to Leadership

TEXAS – Today, following the retirement announcement of Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy, the Texas AFL-CIO Executive Board elected new leadership to fill the remainder of Levy’s 2023-2027 term.

Following Levy’s last day on December 1, Leonard Aguilar will serve as the President and Lorraine Montemayor will serve as the Secretary-Treasurer of the organization. Once they are sworn in on Dec. 2, Aguilar and Montemayor’s leadership will mark the first time that two Latinos have ever led the Texas AFL-CIO, and they will bring a working class, rank and file perspective to their roles.

“This has been without question the most challenging, meaningful and rewarding work I have ever had the privilege of doing,” said Texas AFL-CIO President Rick Levy. “Working alongside our affiliates and members across the state has been the experience of a lifetime. I feel proud of what we have accomplished together, and excited for what lies ahead for the labor movement with Leonard and Lorraine’s bold leadership.

“We have laid the foundation for a bigger, broader, bolder labor movement, and I have great confidence that the Texas AFL-CIO will continue to grow, both in numbers and power, and continue to be the leading voice for workers, for the labor movement and for all who seek to create a Texas that aligns with our values. The path to changing our country runs through Texas, and organizing the South is the clearest path for us to change this country for the better.”

During his tenure, Levy sought to build a culture of solidarity, honoring our past while charting a new course for the future. Levy worked to create on-ramps to participation and leadership for workers across the state. Working with staff and executive board, his term was marked by deep institutional change at the Texas AFL-CIO, including:

Growth and diversification of the Texas AFL-CIO staff and executive board,
Creation of the Texas Climate Jobs Project, advancing a pro-climate, pro-worker agenda,
Creation of the Texas Immigrant Worker Project, ensuring that immigrant rights are woven into the fabric of the organization,
Development and growth of the Ruth Ellinger Leadership Academy, training hundreds of new union leaders,
Creation of the Women’s Committee, a space for women to come together to grow labor movement participation,
Creation of the Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) coalition, giving space to young labor leaders,
Expansion of the Texas AFL-CIO high school and career-building scholarship program,
Development of an innovative and professional political and legislative department, organizing department, and communications department to grow the labor movement across the state, protect workers, and defeat multiple anti-worker bills,
Became a clear voice for justice on all issues facing working people,
and much more.

“Rick’s years of leadership, friendship, and unwavering dedication have not only strengthened our movement, but inspired so many of us,” said Leonard Aguilar, incoming Texas AFL-CIO President. “He has been a mentor, friend, and fierce advocate, and I’m deeply honored to build on the foundation he is leaving us. Together, we can grow the Texas labor movement and win a future where every worker’s voice is heard and respected.”

“As a product of our movement, I am overcome with appreciation for our members. It was this movement that gave me the tools and skills I needed to see myself as a leader — and it was leaders like Rick who gave me the confidence,” said Lorraine Montemayor, incoming Texas AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer. “Rick has laid the groundwork for our labor movement to transform Texas politics. Alongside Leonard and our team, we’ll continue to educate, organize, and win for Texas working families.”

About Rick Levy

Rick Levy has served as the President of the Texas AFL-CIO since 2017. As President, he has focused on helping to build a broader, bolder, and more inclusive labor movement, and weaving a culture of solidarity to answer the challenges faced by working people in Texas.

Under his tenure, the Federation has led the fight against legislative and political attacks on the labor movement, supported organizing new unions across Texas, and introduced and broadened significant initiatives to build worker power in Texas, including the Texas Climate Jobs Project, the Texas AFL-CIO Immigrant Worker Project, and the Texas AFL-CIO Women’s Committee. Above all, Levy has led with his values to expand the movement’s capacity and build infrastructure for decades to come.

Levy previously served as the Texas AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer from 2015 to 2017, and worked at the Texas AFL-CIO in various capacities since 1990.

He is a 38-year member of the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA Local 6186) and also a member of Ironworkers Local 482.

About Leonard Aguilar

Leonard Aguilar will become the President of the Texas AFL-CIO on Dec. 2, 2025. He currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer, which he was elected to in 2021. He is focused on growing a Texas labor movement that creates real opportunities for working people to succeed.

Over the course of his career, Aguilar has championed registered apprenticeship programs that open doors to family-sustaining careers. A seasoned face at the Texas Capitol, he has been on the front lines of battles for legislation that affects the future of every worker in the state.

Before serving as Secretary-Treasurer, Aguilar was Executive Director of the Texas Building & Construction Trades Council. He also served as the Political Director of the Southwest Pipe Trades Association.

He started his career with the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA) Local 142 in San Antonio, where he is still a member.

About Lorraine Montemayor

Lorraine Montemayor will become the Secretary-Treasurer of the Texas AFL-CIO on Dec. 2, 2025. She currently serves as the Training & Leadership Development Coordinator for the organization, and has trained up a new generation of union members into leadership over the last five years.

Montemayor started her career at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, where she joined the Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA Local 6186). She later became a union organizer with Alliance/AFT, a Dallas local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), before becoming the Political Director for the Dallas AFL-CIO.

She is still a member of Texas State Employees Union (TSEU - CWA Local 6186) and a member of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 277. Beyond work hours, she advocates for a variety of social justice causes alongside her family.

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The Texas AFL-CIO 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