Leonard Aguilar
Leonard Aguilar, a native of San Antonio, becomes the first Latino to hold a top office in the Texas AFL-CIO. Aguilar began his career in labor with the United Association of Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 142 in San Antonio. He worked his way up, winning election to several offices in that union and distinguishing himself as an instructor in registered apprenticeship programs, soon after as an organizer and political activist. Later, as Executive Director of the Texas Building & Construction Trades Council and, more recently, as Political Director of the Southwest Pipe Trades Association — representing plumbers, pipe-fitters, welders and HVAC technicians in three states — Aguilar has advocated for programs that steer working people into union apprenticeships and for equal opportunity on the job.