The 2022 Excellence in Public Service Award winners have been honored in separate surprise announcements at their respective jobs. The three winners are:

• Jonathan Marr, Deputy Director Sedgwick County Emergency Management;
• Fabian Armendariz, Division Director Operations, School Service Center, Wichita Public Schools; and
• Reggie Davidson, Superintendent of Recreation, Park & Recreation, City of Wichita

The honorees were selected from thousands of eligible workers from Sedgwick County, Wichita Public Schools, and the City of Wichita. They share a strong work ethic, exceptional performance and a commitment to community.

Courtesy of the sponsoring DeVore Foundation, each honoree will receive a $2,500 check at a reception at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 12 in Lotus Hall at Botanica, 701 Amidon.

About the winners:

Jonathan Marr (Sedgwick County) As Deputy Director for Sedgwick County Emergency Management, he conducted in-depth research into Sedgwick County’s outdoor siren system, developing a cost-savings, preventative maintenance, and refurbishment program. A volunteer for Derby Fire and Rescue; founded the “Station-Pride.com” website providing education and wellness information to firefighters; Board member of “Restoring the Rescuer” which empowers and supports first responders; his research of cancer that firefighters face led to a study at the University of Notre Dame. Community service includes organizing races for Healthy Kids, skipper on Wichita’s only Sea Scout Ship sponsored by the Boy Scouts; a mentor for young adults and board member of the Arkansas River Coalition building a new kayak ramp for the community.

Fabian Armendariz (Wichita Public Schools) serves as the Division Director of Operations for the School Service Center which oversees transportation, student nutrition, supply, and the central print center. Fabian’s leadership and innovation made a significant impact on food service, particularly during COVID providing healthy breakfasts and lunches for students and all young people in the Wichita community up to age 18, providing nearly 1 million curbside meals to students in the fall of 2020. In support of remote learning, his print services team worked with academic leaders to create a massive system of paper packets for distribution for PreK-12 students. A passionate advocate for equity and inclusion based on culture, language, and gender orientation with business, non-profit and student groups; fundraiser for Alzheimer’s; volunteer for Wichita River Festival operations committee and leading the food service function for concert performances; recognized by the Wichita Business Journal as an influential young leader; Innovations in Business Award by YPW for the impactful growth and creative delivery of breakfast meals to students; selected as a member of Leadership Wichita.

Reggie Davidson (City of Wichita) serves as the Superintendent of Recreation for the Park & Recreation department. In the four-plus years that he has been with the department, Reggie’s “Team Work Makes the Dream Work” attitude exudes in his work ethic and dedication to the community he serves. As a true leader and champion for his staff, he successfully encouraged and navigated the challenges of COVID in providing excellent services and programs to the Wichita community. Reggie strives to provide programs for youth, focusing on leadership skill development, mentorship, and keeping susceptible youth off the streets with programs that are in a safe space amongst their peers. Reggie serves on the executive board of the Quivira Council - Boy Scouts of America; Chair for the Kansas Recreation and Park Association Diversity & Inclusion Committee; Assistant Vice President of the Fred Douglass Masonic Lodge; Executive leadership team member for Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church.