Born to German immigrants, Pete grew up in Texas as a first generation American. Working his way through college, he enlisted in the US Naval Reserve. After graduating from the University of Houston, Pete was commissioned into the United States Navy through Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island.

As a Surface Warfare Officer, Pete served in varied positions at sea and ashore. Deploying multiple times to the Mediterranean and Middle East, he participated in The Cold War, DESERT STORM in Saudi Arabia, the aborted invasion and the occupation of Haiti, and conflicts in Bosnia and Kosovo. As Commanding Officer, US Navy & Marine Corps Reserve Center Mobile, Alabama, he trained and prepared troops for the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

After 21 years of Naval service, Pete retired in 2005 to private business where he continues as a Commercial Real Estate broker with NAI Mobile. Specializing mostly in an industrial properties, Pete is also well versed and accomplished with office, land, multi-family, and hospitality properties. He averages over $10 million in sales and leases annually.

Always active in politics, Pete started broadcasting Common Sense Radio weekly in 2011 and syndicating his Common Sense column weekly since 2015. Blessed more than he deserves, Pete is married to Debra, his loving wife, has three grown children (Jessica married to Nathan Hyder, Justin, & Jennie), an adopted son (Trent), and three grandchildren (Alexis, Odin, & Torin).