We are there for you...wherever that may be.

What excellence means to me >

Why choose Us

Founded in 1929, AFSPA offers a custom array of insurance products to Federal branch employees supporting foreign affairs. No matter where you are, we are Caring for Your Health Worldwide.

AFSPA Brochure

Our Mission

To provide unparalleled service that our unique, worldwide membership requires, AFSPA manages a comprehensive set of health insurance benefits and related programs promoting the welfare of our members who support U.S. foreign affairs and related missions.

Our Team >

Our Vision

As a Center of Health Care Excellence, AFSPA is the premier provider of creative, innovative health benefits, insurance programs and professional services to its eligible membership as well as an expert resource to the entire Federal workforce.

Membership Info >

Your AFSPA Team

PAULA S. JAKUB, RHU

PAULA S. JAKUB, RHU

Executive Vice President and CEO

Paula Jakub is Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President of the American Foreign Service Protective Association (AFSPA). In that capacity she provides strategic leadership that facilitates the development and enhancement of various insurance and specialty programs offered by the Association. The Association administers the Foreign Service Benefit Plan under contract CS1062 with the United States Office of Personnel Management, as authorized by the Federal Employees Health Benefits law. She is also the Executive Director of the Senior Living Foundation (SLF) of the American Foreign Service, where she provides proactive management to the vital organization solely devoted to helping elderly Foreign Service retirees and widows. In this critical leadership role, she oversees the grant/support functions and key activities that are vital to the continued success of the Foundation.

Ms. Jakub attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a 37-year extensive background in the insurance field, having received her underwriting certification from American College. Ms. Jakub is a Registered Health Underwriter, as designated by the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is formally recognized as a Subject Matter Expert in Federal Health Benefits by the Foreign Service Institute, where she serves on the adjunct faculty.

She serves on the Board of the Association of Federal Health Organizations.

C. KYLE LONGTON

C. KYLE LONGTON

Chief Operating Officer

C. Kyle Longton serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the American Foreign Service Protective Association and the Deputy Director of the Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service. He joined AFSPA in 2013 as the Administrative Manager and Foundation Liaison. He oversees the daily operations of the Protective Association, including administration, ancillary insurance programs, IT, outreach and more.

Kyle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Centre College of Kentucky and a Master of International Affairs degree from the George Washington University.

Board Members

  • Thomas M. Tracy, Chairman
  • Richard J. Shinnick, Vice Chairman 
  • Sarah R. Horsey, Secretary/Treasurer
  • Kathleen T. Austin-Ferguson, Director
  • Joan M. Clark, Director
  • Frank Coulter, Director 
  • Jan A. Mohr, Director
  • Charles Rosenfarb, MD, Director
  • James D. Whitten, Director


Members of the Board of Directors are Career Foreign Service or other Executive Branch personnel, on active duty or retired. They serve the Association without compensation. 
 

Your Health Benefits Officers

Natachia Gourdine-Tyson

Natachia Gourdine-Tyson

Health Benefits Officer for five years
Commitment to Excellence means to have a Heart of Service. I had the honor of serving my country in the army for 12 years. This allowed me to develop the foundation of trust and strength. At AFSPA, it is expected to put our hearts into serving our members and assisting them when they need us most. I am committed to assisting our members to make the best healthcare choices for themselves and their families. My job gives me the opportunity to take the burdens off the members. If I can make their lives easier, that brings me joy.
Brandon Rowles

Brandon Rowles

Health Benefit Officer for 10 years
To me, Commitment to Excellence means that you are willing to change the way you think and make adjustments to achieve excellence. You will need to be willing to be flexible and try different things in order to achieve this as well. I like my job because I get to interact with people and help them with their struggles. My passion is helping people. I strive to restore their faith in customer service.
Christina Brown

Christina Brown

Health Benefits Officer for six years
Commitment to Excellence means providing 100% dedication, going above and beyond for our members within the provisions and guidelines of our plan. We must keep our members needs a priority. Many of our members are residing overseas and deal with stresses just from being abroad. My job is to act as a liaison between the providers outside the 50 United States and our members. I ensure everyone?s stress levels are down by making sure everything is being handled in the proper manner.
Philip Michel

Philip Michel

Member Quality Services for six years
Commitment to Excellence is a commitment to our members that they will receive the best quality service we can offer. This involves making sure that every member receives accurate information in a timely manner while also providing them the correct resources for their needs pertaining to our company. It is also a commitment and challenge to ourselves to consistently find new and better ways to increase the productivity or our work to better assist members.
Sally Tejan-Cole

Sally Tejan-Cole

Health Benefits Officer for 3 years
"It means I put myself in member's shoes. I try to understand how the caller feels. I imagine I am assisting my own mother or father. I think about how I would want my family member to be treated and then I act accordingly to resolve the matter. I have spent over 35 years in health care. I worked at Children's Hospital, the Veterans Affairs Hospital, Memorial Hospital, and more. Health care feels rewarding and I'm glad I chose this field. My strong medical background helps me better assist members. I enjoy working at AFSPA because we share a common goal of helping the members."
Laila Saleem

Laila Saleem

Health Benefits Officer for 2 years
“It means actively listening to members. When I take a call, I let the person know that I have heard everything they said. This can be crucial in delivering great customer service. At the same time, my goal is to make every member smile by the end of the call. This means working to resolve all matters fully. This comes easily as AFSPA promotes a member-focused environment. I have worked in other call centers in the past that felt very rushed. But at AFSPA, Health Benefits Officers are able to assist members for as long as needed. I like that AFSPA demonstrates that they truly value and care about their members.”
Jerome Bullock

Jerome Bullock

Health Benefits Officer for 3 years
“It means having the customer feel like they are in good hands when they are speaking to me. I try to make members feel comfortable. I answer their questions from start to finish. I take time to assist members and educate them about FSBP’s claims and benefits. I served overseas in the U. S. Air Force; therefore, I have experienced what it is like living outside the states. The rules can be very different in other countries. When addressing a member’s needs, I make an effort to listen and to understand. It feels good when a member is satisfied, and their expectations are exceeded."
Brain Butler

Brain Butler

Health Benefits Officer for 3 years
“Commitment to the Member Experience means treating members the way that I would want to be treated. At the end of a call, I want a member to feel like, ‘that was the best customer experience I ever had.’ I have always been a natural people person. It makes me feel good when I help someone. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. But I am not looking for praise or recognition. I am just simply doing my job and what I feel am supposed to do. I like that everyone is willing to help at AFSPA.”
Ervin Price

Ervin Price

Sr. Health Benefits Officer for 4 years
"Commitment to Service means going above and beyond. It is making sure all aspects are touched. I believe Commitment to Service is leaving a smile on someone's face at the end of every call."