Three Kansas City officials have received national recognition as America’s 250 Public Service Champions, placing local city government work inside a broader effort to highlight the people shaping communities as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.
The honor went to Josh Henges, Matthew Gigliotti, and Tammy Queen, all of whom appear on the official national champions list for Missouri.
The recognition comes through Local Gov 250 and the National Academy of Public Administration, which selected 250 honorees from across the country to spotlight public servants who represent what organizers describe as “democracy at the doorstep.”
The program drew nominations from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, with honorees set to be recognized ahead of the ICMA National Conference in Philadelphia on May 12, 2026.
Read More: Captain Erica Oldham and Sgt. Nathan Kinate Receive National Honor for Bringing “Seek Then Speak” to Kansas City and Helping Assault VictimsFor Kansas City, the three names reflect very different parts of city government. Matthew Gigliotti serves as City Attorney, a role backed by the city’s staff directory and one that places him at the center of major legal questions facing City Hall.
Tammy Queen serves as Assistant City Manager, part of the senior leadership structure that helps oversee city operations.
Josh Henges is listed on the national champions roster as Homelessness Prevention Coordinator for the City of Kansas City, linking his recognition to the city’s homelessness and housing-response work.
The award is not just about titles. It is meant to recognize public service that carries visible community impact, and that gives the Kansas City selections a wider meaning.
Henges’ work is tied to one of the city’s most pressing challenges, Gigliotti’s role touches nearly every major legal and policy fight that passes through City Hall, and Queen’s position reflects the day-to-day executive work that keeps city government moving.
Taken together, the three honors give Kansas City recognition in housing, law, and executive administration all at once.
At a time when public service is often discussed in abstract terms, this kind of recognition puts specific names in the frame. Kansas City is not just represented on the list once.
It appears three times, through three officials working in very different corners of local government. That gives the city a notable presence in a national program built to mark the country’s next major milestone.
