Ms. Petterchak received a B.S. in Political Studies and M.A. in American History, both from Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois at Springfield). For twenty-four years she held positions with the Illinois State Historical Library and Society.
As director of the State Historical Library (now the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library) for nine years, her responsibilities included administration of the Library's acquisitions, cataloging, reference, and conservation programs. She also conducted original research on subjects in Illinois history, preparing articles for publications and conference presentations.
In 1996 Ms. Petterchak began her commissioned writing business, researching and authoring biographies and business histories. In addition, for the past three years she has been working on a biography of America's last five-star general, Omar N. Bradley.
Ms. Petterchak is a past president of the Sangamon County Historical Society. Her accomplishments are listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who of American Women.
