Excellence in Public Service Awards 2026 - Awardees

The City of St. Louis honored eight of its employees on Tuesday evening at the inaugural Excellence in Public Service Awards, the City’s first centralized, formal program recognizing the dedication and contributions of its more than 3,000 civil service employees.

Co-hosted by Mayor Cara Spencer and Director of Personnel Brian Light, the ceremony in the Rotunda at City Hall brought together finalists, their families and colleagues, department leaders and members of the public. Awards were presented in six categories, followed by two presentations of the Mayor’s Choice Award, the premier honor of the evening.

A Celebration of St. Louis Talent

The program opened with a presentation of colors by the Sumner High School JROTC, followed by the National Anthem, performed by Perry Anselman of Central Visual & Performing Arts High School. The Central Visual & Performing Arts High School Choir, directed by Brianna Brown, then gave a featured performance.

City of St. Louis Poet Laureate Pacia Anderson delivered a featured reading before Director Light’s opening remarks and Mayor Spencer’s address to attendees.

2026 Award Recipients

Finalists were nominated by department heads, appointing authorities and managers across City government. Three finalists were named in each category, and the recipients were announced during the ceremony.

• Civil Service Rising Star Award, recognizing exceptional early-career talent: Max Magee, Neighborhood Stabilization Division
• Innovation & Efficiency Award, honoring process modernization, operational improvements and cost savings: Deputy Fire Chief Derrick Phillips, St. Louis Fire Department
• Behind-the-Scenes Hero Award, recognizing administrative, IT, legal and financial support staff: Anastasia Luettecke, St. Louis Fire Department
• Frontline & Trades Hero Award, honoring field, maintenance and trades personnel: Jerry Buettner, Equipment Services Division, Board of Public Service
• Resilience & Emergency Response Award, celebrating exceptional service during crises and severe weather events: Kristen Capps-Jones, City Emergency Management Agency
• Gateway Public Service Award, highlighting resident-facing and community-centered service: Bob Ray, Soulard Market, Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry

Mayor’s Choice Award Recipients

The ceremony concluded with the Mayor’s Choice Award, selected personally by Mayor Spencer for overall excellence in public service. In the program’s inaugural year, the Mayor presented two awards.

The first was presented to Garrett Allen, Constituent Services Lead in the Office of the Mayor. The second was presented to La-Teisha Woolfolk, Head Receptionist to the Mayor.

Thank you to all our colleagues

The Department of Personnel congratulates every recipient and finalist, and thanks the colleagues and managers who took the time to submit nominations. The Department also thanks the students, performers and staff whose work made the evening possible.

The Excellence in Public Service Awards will continue as an annual program. Information about nominations for the 2027 awards will be released in November 2026.