About AFE-ADB
AFE–ADB is an association of former employees of ADB. It includes pensioners and non- pensioners, former members of the ADB Board of Directors and their advisers, former members of the ADB management, and surviving partners of former members.
The Association was established keeping in mind the interests of its members from a variety of backgrounds. For many, it is an organization that will bring to ADB’s attention the concerns of members about maintaining pensions and health insurance coverage at comfortable and affordable levels. For others, the social activities of AFE–ADB are of utmost importance. And for others again, information about ADB’s activities is important. At the end of 2024, AFE‒ADB had over 3,100 members.
The Association’s office is in ADB’s headquarters building in Manila. It is run by the Executive Committee comprising a chairperson, president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.
AFE–ADB issues a newsletter, AFE–ADB News, twice a year, in March and September, and the Directory of Members is available online to members. In addition, frequent communications are issued by e-mail. AFE–ADB has 18 chapters worldwide, which hold their own business and social gatherings at least once a year.

AFE–ADB maintains contact with the alumni associations of other international organizations and occasionally exchanges views with them on matters of mutual interest.
AFE−ADB’s activities are funded by members’ subscriptions and a subsidy from ADB.
Vision and Objectives
In line with the purposes for which the Association was established, AFE−ADB’s objectives are to:
- Protect the interests of AFE−ADB members,
- Facilitate communication and interaction among AFE−ADB members and ADB,
- Keep AFE−ADB members informed about AFE’s and ADB’s activities, and
- Organize social, educational, or similar activities for AFE−ADB members.
Executive Committee

Stephen Groff
Chairperson

Jill Gale de Villa
President

Vacant
Vice President

Joy Macaisa-Viray
Treasurer

Teresa Samson Montesa
Secretary

Stephen Groff
Chairperson

Vacant
Vice President

Jill Gale de Villa
President

Nannette Amorado
Treasurer

Teresa Samson Montesa
Secretary
Chapters
AFE−ADB has 18 chapters worldwide. Chapters are formed by people in areas that have a reasonable number of AFE members who have come together to form a chapter. Chapters hold their own business and social gatherings at least once a year. Read more here – Chapters
Committees and Assistance
AFE forms committees to assist and advise on various matters. For example, a Bylaws Committee was formed to assist with necessary Bylaws update and a 25th Anniversary Committee assisted with the massive work of organizing for the members who came to Manila when the AGM was held here.
AFE has three Standing Committees: one each for communications, insurance, and pension. Standing Committees are mandated in the Bylaws
- The Communications Committee currently comprises Jill Gale de Villa (head), Elizabeth Cabuay, Gam de Armas, Guia Estabillo, Anna Juico, Joy Macaisa Viray, Bobbie Montesa, David Parker, Hans-Juergen Springer, Judy Yñiguez, and Maria Theresa Mercado. The Committee keeps members aware of developments at ADB and publishes the AFE News twice yearly.Parker, Hans-Juergen Springer, Judy Yñiguez, and Wickie Zbveglich.
- The Insurance Committee currently comprises Jill Gale de Villa (head), Barbara Palacios, Francois Ausseil, Ted Breckner, Anne Sweetser, Axel Weber, and Clay Wescott. The committee assists pensioners with insurance needs and queries by responding and/or referring them or their queries to the insurance and/or ADB. It liaises with ADB and Cigna on insurance matters and represents pensioners on ADB’s formal Consultative Forum on the GMIP Committee.
- The Pension committee comprises Hans-Juergen Springer (head), Jill Gale de Villa (alternate), and Graham Walter. The committee responds to pensioners queries or refers them to the appropriate respondents. It represents pensioners on ADB’s pension committee.
As AFE’s membership and duties expand, the need for assistance also increases. Individuals provide assistance that is essential and much needed and valued. For example, members serve on election committees and as election officers and screeners.
In response to a couple of AFE’s pressing needs, we formed two Temporary Committees in 2023, to review the Bylaws and to create a guide for chapter coordinators.
The Bylaws Review Committee is headed by Bruce Murray with Eveline Fischer as vice chair plus 7 members. The committee’s final recommendations went to the Executive Committee for review and consideration. The result will be voted on by the membership.
A Chapter Coordinators’ Guide was created by a committee comprising current and past chapter coordinators and headed by Günter Hecker (chair) and Gam de Armas (vice chair).
Chairs and Presidents
Chairs

Stephen Paul Groff
2021 – present
Stephen P. Groff became AFE’s Chair in May of 2021. When at ADB for the third time, he was Vice-President of East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. He left ADB in 2019. During his chairmanship, AFE has

Bong-Suh Lee
2009 – 2021
Bong-Suh Lee, who was vice-president (Region West) at ADB during 1993–1998, was elected as AFE’s President and served for 8 years, from February 2009 to February 2017. He was re-elected as Chair in 2017 and 2021.

Tadao Chino
2007 – 2008
Tadao Chino, ADB president from 1999 to 2005, was elected as AFE’s third president in May 2007. In July 2008, he passed away at the age of 74.

Masao Fujioka
1993 – 2007
Masao Fujioka, ADB president from 1981 to 1989, was elected as AFE’s second president at the AFE Annual General Meeting in Manila in May 1993.

Takeshi Watanabe
1987 – 1993
Takeshi Watanabe, ADB’s first president (1966–1972), was elected as AFE’s first president at AFE’s first Annual General Meeting, held in Osaka, Japan, in April 1987. He served for two terms, each of 3 years.
Presidents

Jill Gale De Villa
2022 – 2026
Jill Gale De Villa was elected President in 2022 after the resignation of Alfredo Pascual who joined the cabinet of the President of the Philippines. She will serve until 2026.

Alfredo Pascual
2020 – 2022
Alfredo Pascual was elected President and served from 2020 to 2022.

Hans Juergen Springer
2008 – 2020
Hans Juergen Springer served as Executive Secretary to the present day President from 2008 until 2020.

Ikramulan Khan
1986 – 2008
Ikramulan Khan, who was instrumental in forming AFE-ADB, served as Executive Secretary from the Association’s creation from 1986 until 2008.
Constitution
The Constitution of AFE-ADB was promulgated on 26 April 1987 covering the objectives, membership and office bearers of the association. Read more here – Constitution
ByLaws
The By Laws of the association was approved on 28 February 2006 aand was amended 4 times in 2003, 2016, 2019 and 2025. For more details, refer to the PDF document here
History
2024
AFE-ADB held its 38th annual general meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia on 2 May 2024 with over 130 members joining on-site and on-line. The new Malaysian chapter held its inaugural meeting via Zoom in August and first annual meeting in October. Several onsite and online meetings were held with Cigna to address issues and concerns of members. The digital transformation continues with the Membership Accounting System and the revamping of the website. The issue of dues increase was raised during the 38th AGM and overwhelmingly got approval from the membership with effectivity 01 January 2025.
2023
ADB lifts lockdown. New AFE office is in ADB rooms 301-304. AFE holds its 37th annual meeting in Incheon, Republic of Korea, virtually and in person on 2 May 2023; it is well attended. Chapters resume in-person meetings. Joy Viray replaces Nannette Amorado as AFE Treasurer. AFE projects include a new guide for chapter coordinators (completed); continuing adaptation to a new financial and accounting system; working on updating and upgrading the AFE website; commencing work on a Bylaws review and a short guide for surviving spouses.
2022
ADB is still on lockdown but increments of staff were allowed to be physically present in HQ under certain conditions. AFE held its 36 th annual meeting virtually on 4 May 2022 which was well attended. Most Chapters held their own reunions via Zoom or some other platforms.
2021
ADB is still under pandemic mode with 90 % of staff working from home. It was a challenge for AFE to run a virtual office. The year saw the relocation and construction of the new AFE office on the ground floor near the West Core Lobby. AFE coordinated the availment of Covid vaccines for all retirees residing in the Philippines. Later in the year, Stephen P. Groff was elected Chair and Teresa S. Montesa elected as Secretary.
2020
The Covid pandemic spreads, forcing work-from-home and resulting in AFE having to hold a pro-forma virtual annual general meeting. Alfredo E. Pascual is elected as AFE’s president. Work-from-home hampers AFE’s connectivity, AFE News continues to be published online only, and the AFE Facebook page provides AFE and ADB update info. Treasurer Nannette Amorado investigates options of changing auditor and moving to the International Auditing Standards (IAS), which are more applicable to our type of organization than the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and Fred Pascual initiates looking into further use of digital technology to improve AFE operations. AFE continues to participate in ADB’s tripartite pension and health insurance committees.
2019
Bylaws amendments included recognition of domestic partners as spouses, requirements for members to be elected to the AFE Executive Committee, and title change of the Assistant Treasurer to Secretary. Nannette Guinto-Amorado elected as Treasurer. AFE Annual General Meeting held in Fiji. AFE member Masatsugu Asakawa became ADB’s president.
2018
Annual General Meeting in Manila, Marissa Wenceslao elected as Assistant Treasurer, Jill Gale de Villa re-elected as VP.
2017
Bong-Suh Lee reelected as Chairperson. About 370 AFE members and accompanying persons attended ADB’s 50th Annual Meeting, Yokohama.
2016
Hans-Juergen Springer reelected as President. AFE successfully lobbied to retain the 3% cost-of-living annual raise for pensions of those hired prior to 2012.
2015
Julia Holz elected as Treasurer. Annual meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Membership
Membership in AFE-ADB is open to all former ADB members of staff, Management, and the Board of Directors.
To join, please download the form(either in PDF or in DOC), complete it, and return it to us at AFE-ADB@adb.org