Contra Costa County had two representatives announced in the LocalGov250 by the National Academy of Public Administration list for going above and beyond, showing excellence in public service, and inspiring those around them.
- John Gioia, County Supervisor, Contra Costa County, CA
- Stephen W. Griswold III, Assistant General Manager, Town of Discovery Bay, CA
Here is the full release
National Academy of Public Administration, LocalGov250 Announce 250 Champions Honorees
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Academy of Public Administration and LocalGov250 are pleased to announce the honorees for their 250 Champions Initiative.
“There are many leaders working in government across the country who are deserving of recognition, and this year marks an especially important time for our country to honor them. These 250 Champions are truly special and make a difference in our everyday lives,” said James-Christian Blockwood, President & CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration. “We look forward to celebrating all of them, and hope this inspires future public servants and the American people.”
The 250 Champions include a diverse range of public servants. From the Fire Chief of Ithaca, New York to a meter reader in Illinois, to a sustainability coordinator in Wisconsin, our 250 Champions represent government at its best. Each person listed has earned recognition by going above and beyond, showing excellence in public service, and inspiring those around them. They have each been nominated by a peer or fellow in public administration.
“250 Champions is an outstanding opportunity to recognize the important role of local government in implementing democracy every day,” said Wally Bobkiewicz, city administrator of Issaquah, WA and selection committee member of Local Gov 250. “A key element of the initiative has been to recognize all the professions that make local government work, from librarians to police officers, engineers to recreation leaders. Local Gov 250 has brought together all these professions to celebrate the impacts of our collective work.”
The Local Gov 250 Coalition and the National Academy of Public Administration reviewed hundreds of submissions from all 50 states as well as Washington D.C. and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This honor highlights government workers across the country, from mayor’s offices to public works departments, parks and recreation, public health, libraries, and so much more. The 250 Champions were selected and notified of their awards in early March.
To be eligible for the award, honorees must be currently working as a government employee or recently retired within the last ten years and exemplify the highest standards of service to the public.
The 250 Champions will be honored at an event preceding the ICMA National Conference in Philadelphia May 12, 2026.
Learn more at www.napawash.org
250 Champions Honorees (Note: list is of California only — full list here of LocalGov250)
California
- Alexander Fung, Economic Development Manager, City of Eastvale, CA
- Bina Lefkovitz, Trustee, Sacramento County Board of Education and President, Association of the California County Boards of Education, CA
- Brian Mohan, City Manager, City of Moreno Valley, CA
- Clement Lau, FAICP, Policy Advisor, County of Los Angeles Chief Sustainability Office, CA
- Dennis Kauffman, Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer, City of Roseville, CA
- Eric Palmer, Senior Communications Coordinator, ReGen Monterey (Monterey Regional Waste Management District), CA
- Jaime Moore, Fire Chief, Los Angeles Fire Department, CA
- Jennifer Contini, Chief Assistant City Attorney, City of Anaheim, CA
- John Gioia, County Supervisor, Contra Costa County, CA
- Jon Givner, Chief Assistant City Attorney, City and County of San Francisco, CA
- Juliana Lucchesi, Assistant City Manager, City of Yreka, CA
- Magda Gonzalez, Retired, City of Half Moon Bay, CA
- Mercy Santoro, Deputy Director, Parks and Recreation, County of Los Angeles, CA
- Patrice Chamberlain, Health Equity and Emergency Planning Specialist, CA Dept. of Public Health, CA
- Patricia Martel, West Coast Regional Director, ICMA, CA
- Rivkah Sass, CEO Sacramento Public Library, Sacramento Public Library, CA
- Stephen W. Griswold III, Assistant General Manager, Town of Discovery Bay, CA
About the National Academy of Public Administration
Established in 1967 and chartered by Congress, the National Academy of Public Administration is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps government leaders solve the nation’s most critical management challenges. With more than 1,000 Fellows—including former cabinet officials, governors, mayors, and scholars—the Academy advances excellence in public administration through research, advisory services, and thought leadership. LocalGov250
