2026 Lecture in honor of G. Homer Durham
"Public Service in the Face of Adversity"
John Dinkelman
John Dinkelman assumed his duties as president of the American Foreign Service Association on July 15, 2025, after a distinguished 37-year career with the U.S. Department of State. At the time of his election as AFSA president, he was serving as diplomat-in-residence at Howard University. Dinkelman served as the association's president during the 2025–2027 Governing Board's term.
Throughout his career, Dinkelman held numerous leadership roles, including acting assistant secretary for administration; deputy assistant secretary for logistics management; chief of staff in the Bureau of Administration; and regional executive director for the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. He also served as director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.
His overseas assignments included service as chargé d’affaires at U.S. Embassy Nassau, the Bahamas, and as principal officer at U.S. Consulate Nogales, Mexico. He retired from federal service on November 1, 2025.
An “Army brat,” Dinkelman grew up in various locations around the world. He has a deep connection to Provo, Utah, where he earned his degree from Brigham Young University.
He and his wife, Elizabeth — a professor of mathematics — are the parents of three adult children.
Students in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences gain Experience Points for attending this lecture. Learn more about Experience Points.