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Bergosh grew up in Pensacola, where his adoptive stepfather was stationed at the [[Navy base]]. He graduated from [[Pensacola High School]] in 1985, received his bachelor's degree from the [[University of West Florida]] in 1989 and earned a law degree from the University of Memphis in 1992. He joined the Marines, rising to the rank of captain and leaving active duty in 1996, and went on to work for the Department of Defense as an attorney for federal schools.
After the death of School Board member [[Hal Mason]] in [[2000]], Bergosh applied to serve for the unexpired two years of Mason's term. He was appointed by Governor [[Wikipedia:Jeb Bush|Jeb Bush]] on [[November 17]], 2000, <ref>"Lawyer fills school board vacancy." ''Pensacola News Journal'', November 18, 2000.</ref> and was reaffirmed by election in [[2002]].
Bergosh remained a company commander in the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] Reserve, and in January [[2003]] he was called to serve in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]. His wife Carissa, at the time director of the [[HOSTS]] mentoring program for students with reading difficulties, was appointed by Governor Bush to serve on the School Board during his absence.<ref>"Bergosh's wife joins School Board while he fights terrorism." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 25, 2003.</ref> After a nine-month deployment to Kuwait and Iraq as executive officer of the 4th Assault Amphibious Battalion, for which he was nominated for a [[Wikipedia:Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]], Bergosh returned to Pensacola and reclaimed his seat in January [[2004]].<ref>"Reservist plans return to School Board post." ''Pensacola News Journal'', January 15, 2004.</ref>
