Petersen attained the highest possible career rank in the CIA short of a presidential appointment. Throughout his career, Petersen has carried out many sensitive intelligence and diplomatic missions that often placed him across the table from world leaders. Many of these missions involved challenging circumstances, an element of risk and even the occasional comic moments. He has provided intelligence briefings to four presidents including Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as well as Vice President Cheney and other high-ranking officials. His recent retirement capped a career in which he was awarded the most prestigious medals the intelligence community can bestow.

Initiated by Rho Chapter, Arizona State University in 1966, Petersen graduated with High Distinction in 1968 with a bachelor of arts, political science degree. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971, including a tour of duty in Vietnam for which he was awarded a Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement. He went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Asian Studies at the East-West Center at the University of Hawaii.

Petersen has held top level CIA positions such as Deputy Executive Director, Chief Human Resources Officer and Associate Deputy Director for Intelligence, Strategic Plans and Programs. Through his dynamic and forward thinking leadership, he has led major institutional changes that will enable the CIA to meet the new challenges of the 21st century and the post-9/11 era.

Petersen is a 1964 graduate of Carl Hayden High School in Phoenix. He and Irene, his wife of 38 years, live in Warrenton, Virginia.