Leadership is essential in enabling youth to develop character, confidence, and values that promote the goal of healthy behavior. Research shows a majority of American youth engage in health-compromising behavior and concludes that half of all 10 to 17 year olds are at high or moderate risk of undermining their chances for a healthy life because of substance abuse, unsafe sex, teen pregnancy, school failure and delinquency, and crime or violence. More importantly, a recent report from the American Medical Association captures the importance of this goal: "For the first time in the history of this country, young people are less healthy and less prepared to take their places in society than their parents. Moreover, this is happening at a time when our society is more complex, more challenging, and more competitive than ever before."

In addition, a recent research report, Workforce 2020: Work & Workers in the 21st Century, found that employers grouped leadership as one of the essential skills entry-level workers lacked. This group of skills included strong work ethic, problem solving, and creativity, along with organizational and interpersonal skills. These skills were ranked ahead of writing, math and reading. Educators, parents, government officials and business people have all realized the importance of helping our youth develop their personal leadership skills. Empowered youth grow up feeling confident with themselves and with their ability to achieve goals.

Our business is providing the people, structure and the processes to help ensure an organization's continued growth. Our strength lies in our ability to accurately assess needs, focus on critical issues, and assist in the development of core initiatives.

Specifically, our unique inside-out approach to leadership and character development “empowers” our youth to realize their potential. Our Rising Stars program was designed to help today’s youth, develop their personal leadership skills. Leadership is essential in enabling youth to develop character, confidence, and values that promote healthy behavior.

Summit Performance Strategies was founded by John Dexter, a successful manager and business analyst. John has a diverse background of 21 years of management experience in warehouse and distribution operations, information technology & telecommunications, health care delivery processes, quality systems, market analysis and crisis management. He has an MBA from Seattle University and BS Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois.