Mr. Levine joined the Foreign Service in 1985 and has served in Lima, Peru; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Alexandria, Egypt; Nicosia, Cyprus; Brasilia, Brazil; and Sofia, Bulgaria. He has also held several positions in the Department of State, including desk officer for Hungary, 1993-1994. Before entering the Foreign Service, Mr. Levine worked as a newspaper reporter for seven years and was a founding staff member of USA TODAY. He holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism from Cal State Humboldt in Arcata, California and a Master's degree in Resource Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.

He has received Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards from the Department of State and the Golden Laurel awarded by the Government of Bulgaria.

Mr. Levine grew up in California, is married and has a 15 year-old son.

1. When did you arrive in Hungary and what brought you here?
I've been coming to Budapest since the mid-90's when I was Desk Officer for Hungary. I arrived for this assignment in July, 2007.

2. Have you ever been an expatriate elsewhere?
I've been at this job for awhile and have lived in Peru, Malaysia, Egypt, Cyprus, Brazil and Bulgaria. Being from California, I sometimes felt like an Ex-pat in Washington D.C.

3. What surprised you most about Hungary?
Metro escalators - fastest in the world?

4. Friends are in Budapest for a weekend - what must they absolutely see and do?
We have this itinerary down -- Start with the Castle District and then over to Pest via a walk through Margit Island. On to the Parliament, across the Fifth District (preferably on bike) to Vaci Utca, Vorosmarty Ter, the Central Market, then down Andrassy to Heroes Square. Will also have to work in a trip to the Gellert Baths and Szentendre.

5. What is your favourite Hungarian food?
Csirke Paprikás Galuskával.

6. What is never missing from your refrigerator?
Tubs of sour cream.

7. What is your favourite Hungarian word?
Háztartásbeli - It took me weeks to learn.

8. What do you miss the most from home?
Being close to the Pacific Ocean.

9. What career other than yours would you love to pursue?
Black Jack dealer, BMW salesman, small-town mayor

10. What's a job you would definitely never want?
Moving Pianos

11. Where did you spend your last vacation?
California and Washington State.

12. Where do you hope to spend your next one?
Bulgaria

13. What was your favourite band, film, or hobby as a teen?
Band - Jefferson Airplane
Film - Blazing Saddles
Hobby - Roaming

14. What can't you resist?
Puppies

15. Red wine or white?
Definitely white - very cold

16. Book or movie?
Book - especially when I know the author.

17. Morning person or night person?
Night by far

18. Which social issue do you feel most strongly about?
Tolerance and the environment

19. Buda side or Pest side?
You gotta have both.

20. What would you say is your personal motto?
"Leap and the net will appear" - (Jason Mraz)