Unfortunately, a Content Query Web Part is not an activated option in the version of SharePoint that I am utilizing..
Thus far, my solution has been to utilize Web Services which provides me with the 'next-up' based on the 'box' (workflow style) that the current user is 'assigned to'. The only draw-back that I've been able to identify is that when the user opens the next request, they must click a button to 'Assign' the item to their ID. Ideally, I'd have liked this process to happen automatically, but after much frustration, I have not been able to get around the post-back problem (can't submit back to the same request as you are opening).
Everything else is working GREAT; well, almost...if only SharePoint had the functionality to understand Now() or ANY current time/date formulas; but that is another subject!