AFSA NEWS 74 JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2026 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL A Fond Farewell to an AFSA Unsung Hero After 30 years of dedicated service to the American Foreign Service Association, Senior Labor Management Adviser James Yorke retired in November 2025. A quiet but powerful force behind the scenes, James directly assisted thousands of AFSA members over the years, helping them navigate the often-complex rules and regulations that govern Foreign Service life. James was also instrumental in securing in-state tuition rates for the children of Foreign Service members domiciled—but not physically present—in their home states, saving the families of our members thousands of dollars. His long-standing partnership with Charleston Global Financial Services made it possible for AFSA to resolve countless payroll and debt collection disputes. AFSA President John Dinkelman remembers first meeting James while serving on the orientation staff more than 20 year ago. “He was coordinating on AFSA’s behalf, and that was my first glimpse of his steady professionalism,” he says. Years later, as Dinkelman moved into the Office of Logistics Management (A/ LM), he came to appreciate Yorke’s work even more. “I worked with James from the other side of the table as he advocated for membership when my office was less than helpful to clients. I found his continued professionalism, attention to detail, and consistent reliability to be hallmarks of his service.” Current AFSA Treasurer John Naland, who served as AFSA State vice president from 1999 to 2001 and later served twice as AFSA president, lauds James as “an unsung, behind-thescenes hero who, armed with deep knowledge of the rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to travel, transportation, allowances, and assignments, has directly assisted thousands of AFSA members one-on-one and hundreds of times has convinced the State Department to extend benefits to employees who State initially said did not qualify.” “James is an essential member of the AFSA Labor Management team,” adds AFSA General Counsel Sharon Papp, who worked with Yorke for three decades. “We could not keep up with all the demands placed on the team without his consistent and tireless efforts, his encyclopedic knowledge of the rules and regulations, and his willingness to help his colleagues out.” James Yorke has been a tireless advocate for Foreign Service specialists, leading negotiations to improve career paths for office management specialists and working extensively on issues affecting information management specialists and Diplomatic Security agents. He has also represented members of USAID, the Foreign Commercial Service, the Foreign Agricultural Service, APHIS, and USAGM, assisting with matters ranging from allowances and medical clearances to spousal employment and grievances. For two decades, James James Yorke helped compile AFSA’s annual Federal Tax Guide (see page 66) and has authored numerous FSJ columns explaining the nuances of allowances and benefits. He was also a recipient of the 2020 AFSA Special Achievement Award. Born in the United Kingdom, James joined AFSA in 1992 following a 30-year career in the British Navy. After accompanying his wife, now-retired Foreign Service Officer Jean Louis, to Bogotá, he returned to AFSA in 1998 and has served the association ever since. Since 2010 he has worked remotely from his home in North Carolina. AFSA bids a warm farewell and heartfelt thanks to James Yorke for his decades of extraordinary service to the FS community. n James Yorke has been a tireless advocate for Foreign Service specialists, leading negotiations to improve career paths for office management specialists and working extensively on issues affecting information management specialists and Diplomatic Security agents.
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