 Petroskey graduated from Michigan State University in 1978, and worked in the White House from 1985 to March 1987 as Assistant Press Secretary under Ronald Reagan.Before working for Reagan he was assistant press secretary for the Michigan House Republican caucus, then chief of staff for Representative William F. Goodling, a Republican from Pennsylvania.After serving Reagan he was assistant secretary of public affairs at the United States Department of Transportation under Secretary Elizabeth Dole.