The Foreign Service Journal, September 2013

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2013 73 AFSA NEWS AFSAAwards Ceremony and Venezuela. He shared his uniquely American history as an immigrant who arrived in this country with little, yet had the privilege of enjoying great success in the United States. A profile of Amb. Landau is on page 24. A JOB WELL DONE Dr. Mette Beecroft, president emerita of the Association of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, presented Leah Evans with the Avis Bohlen Award, which honors the accomplishments of a Foreign Service family member whose relations with the American and foreign communities at post have done the most to advance the interests of the United States. While posted to Kyiv, Evans created the website, “Kids in Kyiv,” which brings together the local and expa- triate communities. A profile on Leah is found on page 77. President Jon Clements, of Clements Worldwide and son of Juanita Guess, pre- sented the M. Juanita Guess Award to two Community Liaison O ce Coordinators who have demonstrated out- standing leadership, dedica- tion, initiative or imagination in assisting o cial Americans and their family members serving at an overseas post. Elizabeth Jenkins received the award for her ability to serve her community in the di cult and dangerous envi- ronment that is Caracas. Jes- sica McVay helped her com- munity endure a six-month evacuation from Khartoum. Profiles of Elizabeth and Jes- sica are on pages 78 and 79. The Nelson B. Delavan Award recognizes the work of a Foreign Service O ce Management Specialist who has made significant contri- butions to o ce effective- ness and morale beyond the framework of his or her job responsibilities. Ambassador William Harrop presented the award to Mikkela V. Thomp- son, who helped to create positive changes not only within the o ce, but through- out the mission in Dhaka as well. Mikkela’s profile is on page 76. CELEBRATING DISSENT Johnson highlighted the history and significance of AFSA’s dissent awards, and the critical role dissent plays in the Foreign Service. This year, two awards were bestowed on individuals who were selected for their courage, intelligence and insistence on seeing through a change in policy that each recognized as flawed. They expressed their dissent in a methodical, constructive and relentless way, while pre- senting a well-thought-out alternative. Ambassador John W. Limbert, former president of AFSA and chairperson of the Awards Committee, reiter- ated the idea that dissent is necessary to maintain a healthy institution. While posted to Caracas, James T. Rider—this year’s winner of the W. Averell Harriman Continued from page 63 Award for an entry-level Foreign Service o cer—chal- lenged a crucial piece of U.S. law that he felt resulted in U.S. citizenship being given to children abroad who would not have qualified had their parents applied in the U.S. Amb. Limbert presented the award to Brian Beck- man on Rider’s behalf. “It is important for people to take the time to recognize their peers when recognition is due,” Beckman quoted from Rider’s prepared remarks. A profile on James Rider fol- lows on page 75. The Honorable Robert S. Rivkin presented the William R. Rivkin Award for a mid- level Foreign Service o cer to Theodore Lyng for his steadfastness in pushing the embassy to change a long- standing policy, which was inhibiting improving relations with the Muslim community in Indonesia. Lyng’s profile is on page 74. NOMINATE SOMEONE In closing the ceremony, Susan Johnson emphasized the importance of dissent and how critical it is for people to take the time to nominate a deserving col- league. The more than 200 members of the audience then dispersed to raise a glass of champagne in honor of this year’s winners. You may view the cer- emony at www.afsa.org/ AFSAVideos.aspx. n On June 27, award recipients and presenters gather in the Benjamin Franklin Diplomatic Reception Room. (left to right) Amb. Tom Boyatt; Amb. George Landau, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Diplomacy Award; Jessica McVay, recipient of the M. Juanita Guess Award; Jon Clements; Elizabeth Jenkins, recipient of the M. Juanita Guess Award; Mette Beecroft; Amb. John Limbert; Leah Evans, recipient of the Avis Bohlen Award; Hon. Robert S. Rivkin; Theodore Lyng, recipient of the William R. Rivkin Award; Brian Beckman for James T. Rider, recipient of the W. Averell Harriman Award; Mikkela Thompson, recipient of the Delavan Award; and Amb. William Harrop. PHOTOSBYDONNAAYERST