In honor of the America 250 celebration, Local Gov 250 and the National Academy of Public Administration have announced their list of 250 Government Champions. These champions recognize and celebrate the exceptional individuals, from all levels of government, who make a significant impact in their work in cities, counties, regional councils, states and the federal government.  These individuals are currently working (or recently retired) in government who exemplify “democracy at the doorstep” through dedication, innovation, and the highest sense of public service. Honorees will be recognized at an event on May 12, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to these ICMA members who have been named 250 Government Champions:

Arizona

George Flores, retired

Shannon Portillo, director and Coor Presidential Chair, School of Public Affairs, Watts College of Public Service, Arizona State University

Scott Somers, vice mayor, Mesa City Council, ICMA-CM

California

Alexander Fung, economic development manager, Eastvale

Magda Gonzalez, retired

Pat Martel, West Coast region director, ICMA

Brian Mohan, city manager, Moreno Valley

Colorado

Kathleen E. Hodgson, city manager, Lakewood

Brandy Reitter, executive director, Colorado Broadband Office, Governor’s Office of Information Technology

Florida

Carlos Baia, city manager, Temple Terrace, ICMA-CM

Alexander Diaz, town manager, Golden Beach, ICMA-CM

Jorge M. Gonzalez, village manager, Bal Harbour Village, ICMA-CM

Philip Harris, director of economic development, Greenacres

Georgia

Bill Bruton Jr., city manager, Marietta

Dr. Joe Pennino, deputy city administrator, Roswell

John Amos Ward III, county manager, Walton County

Illinois

Ghida Neukirch, city manager, Highland Park, ICMA-CM

Phillip Green, transportation and long range planner, Village of Hoffman Estates

Phil Kiraly, village manager, Glencoe, ICMA-CM

Iowa

Jeffrey Pomeranz, city manager, Cedar Rapids

Kansas

Robert Layton, retired

Maryland

Tanisha Briley, city manager, Gaithersburg

Gayon Sampson, chief of staff, Frederick

Massachusetts

Michael Herbert, town manager, Ashland

Michigan

Jane Bais DiSessa, retired

Danielle Mahoney, assistant city manager, Novi

Mark Wollenweber, retired, ICMA-CM

Minnesota

Daniel R. Buchholtz, administrator, clerk/treasurer, Spring Lake Park, ICMA-CM

Zach Walker, city manager, Bloomington, ICMA-CM

Missouri

Kim Nakahodo, deputy city administrator, North Kansas City

Tammy Queen, assistant city manager, Kansas City

David Warm, executive director, Mid-America Regional Council

Nebraska

Chris Anderson, city administrator, Central City

Nevada

Jeff Dorocak, city attorney, Las Vegas

Stephanie Garcia-Vause, city manager/CEO, Henderson, ICMA-CM

New Jersey

David G. Brown II, township manager, Ocean Township

Justin A. Riggs, deputy city manager, Cape May

Matt von der Hayden, township administrator, Stafford Township, ICMA-CM

North Carolina

Lee Worsley, executive director, Central Pines Regional Council

Sue Schwartz, president, Board of Directors, American Planning Association

Ohio

Katie Eviston, finance director, Springfield

Oregon

Tanya Ange, county administrator, Washington County, ICMA-CM

Sarah Medary, retired, ICMA-CM

Pennsylvania

Amrinder Singh, director of licenses and inspections/chief building official, Upper Darby Township

Jeffrey Stonehill, manager/director of utilities, Chambersburg Borough, ICMA-CM

Adam K. Thiel, managing director, Philadelphia, ICMA-CM

Tennessee

Micah Wood, town planner and town administrator, Thompson's Station

Texas

Austin Bleess, city manager, Jersey Village, ICMA-CM

T.C. Broadnax, city manager, Austin, ICMA-CM

David Gray, director, homeless strategy office, Austin

Opal Mauldin-Jones, city manager, Lancaster

Rick Weise, assistant city manager, San Angelo

Virginia

Christopher D. Hively, town manager, Culpeper, ICMA-CM

India Adams-Jacobs, town manager, Bowling Green, ICMA-CM

Washington

David Goldman, deputy city administrator and finance director, Oak Harbor

Wisconsin

Andy Pederson, village manager, Bayside, ICMA-CM