Texas AFT is governed by an Executive Council made up of presidents from local unions across the state. Officers (president and secretary-treasurer) are elected every two years by delegates at a state convention.
President: Zeph Capo
Zeph Capo is the current President of the Texas American Federation of Teachers and the Houston Federation of Teachers.
Capo believes that a quality public education and old-fashioned hard work are requirements for a robust economy and public schools are the key to a robust civil society. Capo currently serves as the President of the Houston Federation of Teachers, having previously worked as a science teacher in public schools. Capo is known for his honest and direct approach to solving issues and building lasting relationships in the communities he serves.
Capo’s successful real-world experience in the public education sector is sure to strengthen Texas AFT and our relationships with allies and stakeholders. In 2011, Capo spearheaded community meetings to develop a paradigm in how neighborhoods can effect change in a community. Capo believes in strengthening the school-to-work pipeline and dismantling the cradle-to-prison pipeline. To do so, we must improve the learning conditions for our students which also happen to be the teaching conditions of our members.
Capo has served on several community boards that have added perspective and developed cross-sector relationships that will benefit Texas AFT as we forge a new direction. Texas AFT must invest the time to listen to our leaders and members on the ground and be committed to building a shared vision for our future.
Secretary-Treasurer: Ray McMurrey
McMurrey is a former president of the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers. CCAFT, Local #3456, which was the home of two former Texas AFT presidents—John Cole and Linda Bridges—who also served as presidents of the local.
Before serving as the elected, four-term president of CCAFT, and elected president of the Coastal Bend Labor Council, he was an 18-year secondary social studies teacher. His teaching experience included seven years in Eagle Pass ISD, along the Texas-Mexico border, and 11 years in Corpus Christi ISD. McMurrey graduated from St. Edward’s University here in 1991.