4
I
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.
l
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.)