The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2004

6 AFSA NEWS • JULY-AUGUST 2004 The Tex Harris Award FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE SPECIALIST Elizabeth “Betsy” Orlando “B etsy Orlando has stuck her neck out for us so many times, I am surprised she still has a head attached,” says one of the two people who nominated Orlando for the Tex Harris Award. Orlando serves in the Foreign Service as a diplomatic courier, and was based in Frankfurt from 2001 until June 2004. Her col- leagues recommended her for the Harris Award for her strong commitment to fairness and her willingness to put her own career on the line to help others. She repeatedly demonstrated the qualities of intellectual courage, initiative and integri- ty that reflect the spirit of constructive dissent. Armed with extensive knowledge of the Foreign Affairs Manual and legal experience working as an attorney, she has effectively interceded on behalf of colleagues who have expe- rienced difficulties due to poor management. One illustrative example is the story of a courier who worked with Orlando in Frankfurt. When he transferred to another post, he and a col- league at the new post faced abusive behavior from their supervi- sor. They sought help through the regular chain of command, and even traveled to Frankfurt to meet with the supervisor’s supervisor. Nothing changed, until they approached Orlando for assistance. After receiving a rather desperate e-mail from her colleague, Orlando went to her supervisor for help, and got none. Defying her supervisor, she took the matter further in an effort to help these faraway couriers. The situation was resolved positively for the two couriers, but Orlando received an unfavorable evalua- tion. On another occasion, she fought for the payment of overtime to couriers who were being unfairly denied the extra pay. She persuaded a supervisor to pay the required overtime. This exam- ple was given by one of her nominators as “merely one of an almost unfathomable number” of instances in which Orlando has put herself on the line to help colleagues. Her colleagues have attested to her resourcefulness and bravery, and her willing- ness to stand up for what she knows is right. Orlando joined the Diplomatic Courier Service in 1992, and has traveled to over 160 countries. She has been based in Washington, Frankfurt, Bangkok and Helsinki. She was born in Bohemia, N.Y., and graduated from Connetquot High School and Mount Vernon College (now George Washington University). She has a law degree from the University of Akron School of Law and is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association. She writes poetry, and published the book, A Field of Flowers: Poems and Essays from a Diplomat’s Journeys, last year. TheW. Averell HarrimanAward FOR A FOREIGN SERVICE JUNIOR OFFICER StevenWeston S teve Weston was selected to receive the Harriman Award for his courage and constructive dis- sent that proved to be instrumental to U.S. embassy successes in Luxembourg on both the policy and management fronts. Just after Weston arrived in Luxembourg for his first Foreign Service tour, as an economic/public diplomacy officer, the embassy lost its deputy chief of mission and the political/economic chief. For sever- al critical months, Weston found himself in the unusual position of acting as the key adviser to the newly-arrived ambassador on a wide range of issues. He displayed an ability to quickly master complex issues and proved to be a skillful negotiator, creatively and con- structively turning many of the ambassador’s ideas into feasible proposals. As the award nominators point out, Weston earned the confidence of the ambassador by understanding that dissent doesn’t necessarily require saying “no.” Typifying his ability to reshape expectations and shape events, Weston was adept at using the visits of high-level U.S. government visitors to further U.S. interests. As certifying officer for public diplomacy expenditures, he was repeatedly challenged to find a way to support the ambassador’s ambitious public diplomacy initiatives while keeping expenditures within budget. He skillfully succeeded in these endeavors. Even after the arrival of a newDCMand pol/econ chief, Weston’s advice was sought by all the senior officers at post, including the ambassador. He continued to show a willingness to thoughtfully and deftly challenge taskings—not by saying no, but by offering con- structive alternatives for implementation if possible or, if necessary, by questioning the objectives themselves. Weston’s ability to recognize potential problems, envision alternatives and take thoughtful risks demonstrates the highest formof constructive dissent. About winning the award, Weston had this to say: “It is a tremendous honor for me to be selected as recipient of the W. Averell Harriman Award. I hope to continue to live up to the principles represented by this prestigious award as I continue my career in public service.” Prior to joining the Foreign Service in 2001, Steve Weston worked for six years as a civil servant in both the State Department and the Commerce Department. At State, he served in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs, and at Com- merce, in the International Trade Adminis- tration. He was born and raised in Los Angeles. He is married and has a young son, born in Luxembourg. He is headed to Shanghai for his second Foreign Service tour. Steve Weston and his wife, Lori, on July 4, 2003. Weston with Amb. Peter Terpeluk Jr. (left) and Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker (center) at an embassy-organized 9/11 remem- brance event on Sept. 11, 2002. Orlando in Trevi, Italy. Betsy Orlando AFSA’S 2004 DISSENT AWARD WINNERS