For Immediate Release
July 15, 2025
Contact: Nadja Ruzica, Deputy Director of Communications and Outreach | Phone #: (240) 381-4663 | ruzica@afsa.org

Washington, D.C. – The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is pleased to announce that John “Dink” Dinkelman has assumed the role of AFSA President, effective July 15. He succeeds outgoing president Tom Yazdgerdi (2023-2025).

A member of the Senior Foreign Service, Dinkelman brings nearly 40 years of distinguished service at the Department of State, including senior leadership roles at posts around the world. He has served as acting Assistant Secretary of State for Administration and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Logistics Management. Most recently, Dinkelman served as a Diplomat-in-Residence at Howard University in Washington, DC.

In a sobering reflection of the moment, Dinkelman joins the ranks of those who received a reduction-in-force (RIF) notice from the Department of State. His assumption of AFSA presidency underscores both the personal and institutional stakes of the reorganization and workforce reductions across the department.

Dinkelman arrives at AFSA at a moment of great turbulence for the Foreign Service and U.S. diplomacy. In his role as president, Dinkelman will represent more than 16,700 active-duty and retired members of the Foreign Service across six foreign affairs agencies. He will lead the association’s efforts to defend the institution and integrity of the Foreign Service, support its members, and advocate for strong, professional diplomacy.

Joining Mr. Dinkelman as officers of the Board are Foreign Service Officers Rohit Nepal (State Vice President), Randy Chester (USAID Vice President), and Jay Carreiro (FCS Vice President) as well as retiree members Sue Saarnio (Secretary), John Naland (Treasurer), and Ambassador John O’Keefe (Retiree Vice President).

The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) is the professional association and labor union of the men and women of the United States Foreign Service.