I am writing this recommendation in support of Mr. Pete Alinez’s nomination for the 2005 USA Powerlifitng Brother Bennett award.

I would like to begin by saying that it has been a pleasure to have worked closely with Pete these past few years, both as a championship director and coach. During this time period, we have had the opportunity to work closely on the promotions of many of the successful championships that I have directed during the past few years.

Most importantly, the 2005 IPF Men’s World Powerlifting Championships in Miami, Florida, the 2003, 2004 and 2005 American Open Powerlifting Championships, the 2006 USA Powerlifting Collegiate Nationals, and finally the 2006 IPF World Masters Bench Press Championships and 2006 Men’s National Championships.

Unquestionably, the successes of these championships were directly related to the very kind and generous gifts from Mr. Alinez.

Mr. Pete Alinez has demonstrated to me, as well as too many others; time and again, that he is an exceptionally successful and respected business leader within our sport; who has highly ethical standards and leadership. With this success, he is very giving in sponsoring not only our championship directors, but many of our college and high school students, as well as the many USA Teams that we send abroad each year. Often times, the success of our national teams is due very much in part to the very giving and generous support of Mr. Alinez.

In spite of his notoriety and accolades, I have found Pete to be a most humble and approachable person, who will take time to share his extensive and historical knowledge with others in the sport of Powerlifitng. Most Importantly, Pete’s generous support of athletes has successfully guided the USA Powerlifting to achieve an exceptionally high standards of drug-free sport for not only powerlifters here in United States, but internationally as well.

On a final note, it goes without saying that Brother Bennett, the founder of the ADFPA/USA Powerlifting, who had the vision and foresight to establish an organization that specifically focused on the concept of “drug-free powerlifting” with an emphasis of Mens Sana in Corpore Sana – A Sound Mind in a Sound Body, which has now moved from a national phenomenon, to an international standard for all sports to measure themselves against, would be most honored and proud of him by his selection for this award.

Thank you!
Robert Keller – July 6, 2006/Miami, Florida