The Foreign Service Journal, September 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | SEPTEMBER 2019 69 AFSA NEWS AFSAWelcomes Newest Foreign Service Officers, Specialists and Consular Fellows On July 31, AFSA welcomed 71 members of the 199th A-100 Class to its headquar- ters in Washington, D.C. AFSA Treasurer Virginia Bennett hosted the lun- cheon. Ambassador (ret.) Robert Beecroft, Ambas- sador (ret.) Lino Gutierrez, former assistant secretary of State Gregory Starr, AFSA State representatives Kristin Michelle Roberts, Lilly Wahl- Tuco and Tamir Waser and AFSA staff were on hand to speak with the new Foreign Service members and answer their questions about AFSA and the many ways the asso- ciation can assist, protect and advocate for them. On July 25, AFSA wel- comed 48 members of the 153rd Specialist Class. About half of the class members have joined Diplomatic Secu- rity, while eight are new office management specialists. Also included are three gen- eral service officers and three regional medical officers. AFSA Senior Adviser for Diplomatic Security Special Agent (ret.) Steve Kruchko talks with members of the 153rd Specialist Class. Incoming AFSA President Eric Rubin chats with members of the 18th Consular Fellows Class. Members of the 199th A-100 Class enjoy a buffet lunch at the AFSA headquarters. AFSA/CAMERONWOODWORTH AFSA/CAMERONWOODWORTH Strategic Communications Lynne Platt gave opening remarks, while table hosts included Ambassador (ret.) Michael Klosson, Diplomatic Security Special Agent (ret.) Steve Kruchko, AFSA Govern- ing Board Secretary Ken Kero-Mentz, Ambassador Robert Blake, and Govern- ing Board members Jason Singer, Wahl-Tuco and Waser. On June 18, AFSA wel- comed 72 members of the 18th Consular Fellows Class to its headquarters. Outgoing AFSA President Ambassador Barbara Ste- phenson gave remarks, while table hosts included incom- ing AFSA President Eric Rubin, Amb. Beecroft and Mette Beecroft, Ambassador (ret.) Michele Bond, AFSA Labor Management Griev- ance Counselor Peter Lyon, Special Agent Kruchko and Keith Hanigan of Overseas Building Operations Bureau. Welcome to the Foreign Service! n