The Foreign Service Journal, December 2019

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2019 49 AFSA Post Representative of the Year Larry Fields Bringing AFSA Back to Frankfurt L arry Fields is recognized as Post Representative of the Year for his work as the AFSA liaison at U.S. Consulate General Frankfurt. One of the largest posts in the world, ConGen Frankfurt boasts 200 direct hires from State alone, and it is host to a variety of regional offices covering infor- mation technology, security engineering, courier operations and more. But the post had gone without an AFSA post representative for several years. Mr. Fields revived AFSA’s presence by organizing an election for the position of post representative. He created an AFSA email group to keep members in Frankfurt informed of developments throughout the year and launched an “AFSA Corner” column in the Community Liaison Office weekly newsletter. He recruited a USAID post representative and a State alternate representative to serve members’ needs. Mr. Fields worked with the CLO to make sure that its regular newcomers orientation briefs included a short presentation from post representatives describing AFSA benefits. During last winter’s partial federal government shutdown, Mr. Fields hosted an informational lunchtime meeting to share information, answer questions and concerns, and pass on queries to AFSA headquarters. At an embassy town hall on the shutdown, he answered AFSA-related inquiries and reminded employees to avoid violating rules against lobbying elected leaders using government resources. He also established an excellent working relationship with the consul general and the deputy principal officer at post. He has had several opportunities to build on these relationships, including Larry Fields at the AFSA Awards Ceremony at the State Department Oct. 16. Larry Fields delivers remarks after receiving the 2019 AFSA Post Representative of the Year award. AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA AFSA/JOAQUINSOSA one case in which a section head at post attempted to require employee attendance at a Saturday barbecue. Mr. Fields worked with the DPO and HR to ensure that the section head learned that this was neither legal nor appropriate, resolving the issue. He has been an AFSA rep at two other posts, and his experience has proven valuable in many ways, including assisting members with employee evaluation reports, overtime matters and interpersonal relationships at post. Mr. Fields is the first person to receive the AFSA Post Represen- tative of the Year Award twice. He was also recognized in 2011 for his work at U.S. Embassy Kathmandu. “At a time when sharply increased income and wealth inequality herald the arrival of a new Gilded Age, public-sector unions continue to prove their worth not only by fighting for better working conditions for their members, but also by battling misguided and ill-advised management initiatives,” Mr. Fields said upon accepting his award. “I’m proud to do my part to safe- guard the public interest and contribute to the effective conduct of public business.” Mr. Fields joined the Foreign Service in 2006 as an informa- tion management specialist. He has served in Addis Ababa, Buenos Aires, Kathmandu, Luxembourg and Frankfurt. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, and a master’s degree in information systems from George Mason University.