Armando Varricchio is the Ambassador of Italy to the United States as of March 2, 2016. He held many high-ranking positions both within the Italian government and abroad. In particular, he specialised in European and transatlantic affairs during his years at the Italian Representation to the European Union and at the Commission. While Chief Diplomatic Advisor to the Presidents of the Council of Ministers Enrico Letta and Matteo Renzi and Deputy Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, he handled some of the most delicate international dossiers, with a particular focus on security issues. He has a specific expertise in the field of global issues, as he served as Personal Representative (“Sherpa”), at G7/8 and G20 summits both at a national and European level. Formerly Ambassador to Belgrade, before that he also served as the Head of the Economic, Trade and Scientific Affairs Section in Washington, DC, and as a young diplomat in Budapest during the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union. Ambassador Varricchio graduated in international relations from the University of Padua in 1985 (summa con laude), entered the Foreign Service in 1986, and was promoted to the rank of Ambassador in 2014. Prior to embarking on a diplomatic career, he worked in the private sector as the Assistant to the Director of the Finance Section of the Marzotto Textile Group. He has been married to Micaela Barbagallo since 1987, and has two sons, Federico and Umberto. An avid reader, he enjoys cinematographic arts and various sports. Ambassador Varricchio has been bestowed with the highest Italian award, Knight of the Grand Cross, as well as with numerous honours from foreign countries.