Pete (Dr. Banjo) is an innovative banjo player, teacher and author, songwriter, and former 15-year President of IBMA. In 1978 he founded Hot Rize, and in 1980 started 30 years of banjo camps. He now recruits teachers to learn the Wernick Method, helping people learn to jam and develop bluegrass skills. In 2010 IBMA presented Pete its Distinguished Achievement Award.