NOTICE OF ACCREDITATION SURVEY FOR THE FOREIGN SERVICE BENEFIT PLAN     

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 two 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 six 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 two 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.
LaKiia McCall

LaKiia McCall

Working with FSBP for seven years
Commitment to excellence is understanding that you sometimes have to think outside the box, combined with a willingness to place yourself in the member's shoes and go above and beyond to try and resolve a matter. I love my job simply because I love helping people. There have been several moments when in my mind I thought I was just doing my job. But later I hear the member's story and their appreciation for helping them - only to find out that my actions actually had a much greater impact on a member's life than I would have ever thought. Sometimes those turnout to be really teary-eyed moments that make me love my job even more.
Catherine Sultzer

Catherine Sultzer

Sr. Health Benefits Officer for 9 years
In the face of Migration, it means to consistently give members my personal and undivided attention. No matter what the initial challenge is, I focus on getting the core issue corrected. When dealing with Migration matters, it is very important to identify the real problem and properly explain the solution. I let members know my actions and what can be done. It truly diffuses the situation. I’m happy that I have the knowledge to resolve members’ issues. If I don’t know an answer immediately, I will find it. And I always talk to people the way I would want to be talked to and help others the way I would want to be helped. You must show that you care.
Andre Walker

Andre Walker

Compliance Coordinator for 1 year
Commitment to the Member Experience means giving my best work and my best customer service. To me, it is the way to operate in everyday life. We can all put on our best face from time to time. But if you are really living it daily, then it is a more natural part of your personality. I try to be the best human being in my everyday walk. Then, it easily crosses over to my everyday work life. I like my job because I am learning constantly. Compliance keeps everyone accountable to ensure AFSPA’s staff and services line up with established industry standards. The work can be challenging, but it is worthwhile.
Christina Brown

Christina Brown

Health Benefits Officer for 6 years
We’re excited about the 2017 Simple Steps to Living Well Together Incentive. Our wellness incentive gives you the chance to earn up to $250 towards your calendar year deductible, coinsurance, copayments, and nonprescriptions purchases (eyeglasses, dental X-rays, cough drops, etc.). It also reimburses you for other expenses such as dental, vision, and other eligible medical expenses. You have until December 1, 2017 to complete your three simple steps which are: a Health Risk Assessment, a Biometric Screening, and at least one Healthy Action. Any unused funds in your Wellness Incentive Fund Account at the end of the calendar year will remain in your account. This means the funds can be used for eligible medical expenses in the next Plan year as long as you remain enrolled an FSBP member Learn more at www.afspa.org/fsbp/wellness.
Mabel Martin

Mabel Martin

Health Benefits Officer 2 years
It means establishing a good rapport to create a sense of security. I want members to know they can trust me to assist them in a timely manner. I treat our members with kindness and respect. A Commitment to the Member Experience means going above and beyond in every aspect of my job. I enjoy helping members and assisting them in finding solutions. It feels great to make a positive impact on the lives of our members.
John Ogburn

John Ogburn

Health Benefits Officer for 1 year
Our members have distinctive needs stemming from their unique worldwide assignments. A Commitment to the Member Experience means adapting to each person and giving the same phenomenal level of service to each caller. I feel truly accomplished when a member states they are completely satisfied at the end of a call. I have learned a great deal from just talking to members and hearing their diverse stories. I personally thank them for helping me understand life in the Foreign Service.