upon graduation from cornell law in the 90s, punke worked as a government staffer for senator max baucus (d-montana), who is now the former ambassador to china. specifically, from 1991–92, punke served as international trade counsel to baucus, who was also then chairman of the senate finance committee's international trade subcommittee. punke also met his wife traci while working for baucus. during 1993–95, punke then served at the white house as director for international economic affairs and was jointly appointed to the national economic council and the national security council.