BA in Government and Philosophy, College of William and Mary; Master's and Doctorate and a Master's in Politics, University of Oxford. 1984-86, Consular and Political Rotational Officer, US Embassy, Guatemala City; 1987-89, Country Officer, Cameroon, Gabon, Sao Tome, Principe; 1989-92, Special Assistant to Ambassador, US Embassy, Brasilia; 1992-96, Regional Labor Attaché, US Consulate General, Johannesburg; 1996-99, Political Counsellor, US Embassy, Caracas; 1999-2000, Director, Inter-American Affairs, National Security Council; 2000-01, Deputy Permanent Representative, Organization of American States; 2001-02, Director of Andean Affairs, US Department of State; 2002-03, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Western Hemisphere Affairs, US Department of State; 2003-05, Special Assistant to President and Senior Director, Western Hemisphere Affairs, National Security Council; 2005, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs; May 2009, nominated by US President as US Ambassador to Brazil.