Annual Report 2014 | American Foreign Service Association

n 2014 AFSA celebrated two significant 90th anniversaries. In

May 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Rogers Act into

law, combining the United States diplomatic and consular servic-

es to create the U.S. Foreign Service. And in October 1924, the

American Foreign Service Association was formed.

To mark the occasion, AFSA orga-

nized a year-long commemoration, in-

cluding a series of events and activities

designed to deepen public understand-

ing of diplomacy, development and for-

eign affairs; provide opportunities for

the Foreign Service community to come

together and celebrate the accomplish-

ments of those who serve—and have

served—at U.S. foreign affairs agencies

over nine decades; and encourage diver-

sity in the Foreign Service so as to share

the true face of America with the coun-

tries in which our officers and specialists

serve. It was a special year, indeed.

I am pleased to report that the staff

of AFSA continued to do a first-rate job

serving the interests of the organization.

In 2014, AFSA further expanded and

realigned our capacity to better advance

the interests of the Foreign Service.

Throughout the year, I have seen the in-

creasing returns on that investment ef-

fort, which began several years ago. The

professional staff we have assembled—

whether in advocacy, labor manage-

ment, scholarships,

The Foreign Service

Journal

and other publications, commu-

nications, member services,

professional issues, awards

or retiree counseling—is

larger and better than it has

ever been.

AFSA also continued to

maintain a strong financial

posture during 2014, placing

great emphasis on the over-

all stewardship of member

resources. This year we again

received the highest possible commendation: a clean

bill of financial health from an outside auditing firm.

Our wise financial investments have provided options

for AFSA that didn’t exist in years past.

Ultimately, AFSA’s mission is to serve the needs

and advance the goals of our membership. In 2015, the

staff will extend its record of effective professional ser-

vice to the elected leadership, committees and the membership. I

hope this Annual Report gives you a sense of how the association

is working for you, with commitment to your interests and those

of the entire Foreign Service.

Executive Director’s Report:

Ian M. Houston

AFSA Staff:

(left-right)

First row:

Lori Dec, James Yorke, Janet Hedrick, Ian Houston,

Perri Green, Charlie Brown, Kristen Fernekes.

Second row:

Chioma Dike, Raeka Safai,

Sharon Papp, Brittany DeLong, Lindsey Botts, Matt Sumrak, Femi Oshobukola, Shawn

Dorman, Javier Cuebas.

Third row:

Neera Parikh, Colleen Fallon-Lenaghan, Amanda

Whatley, Douglas Broome, Jason Snyder, Patrick Bradley, Janice Weiner, David Murimi,

Kalpna Srimal, Ana Lopez.

Fourth row:

Andrew Large, Allan Saunders, Ed Miltenberger,

Todd Thurwachter, Jonathan Crawford, Jeff Lau, Debra Blome, Ásgeir Sigfússon,

Zlatana Badrich. (

Not pictured:

Cory Nishi, Kristy Pomes, Susan Maitra.)