Marcellus author, motivational speaker and leadership consultant, Christopher Novak, started his business, The Summit Team, in August 2001 from the living room of his village home after leaving his position as Cornell University’s director of human resources.  Nearly five years later, he works in his Main Street office above Angel Heart Gifts and enjoys a client list that includes Syracuse University, Ithaca College, Amerada Hess, Crowley Foods, Galaxy Communications, American Dairy Association and many others.

The Summit Team is a leadership consulting service focused on developing leaders at all levels in a wide variety of organizations.  The training programs that Novak designs and facilitates blend the best of existing resources with his own unique material and approach.  “I call my training philosophy, I – 3 Learning,” Novak says, “because every session is designed to be Interactive, Informative, and Inspirational.” 

Novak is also an accomplished executive coach who has worked one-on-one with senior leaders in business and higher education.  He recently adapted all this experience into a unique sports leadership program that he shared with the Marcellus high school varsity men’s soccer team in 2005.  The two-night course taught players important concepts in leadership, teamwork and what it takes to win – lessons they put to good use in their run to being state champions!

In November 2004, Cornerstone Leadership Institute (Dallas, TX) published Novak’s book, Conquering Adversity.  This inspiring book turns the tragedy of his pregnant wife’s death in 1998 into a message of hope and strength that reminds people there is a hero inside each of us. 

With more than 50,000 copies in print, it has been bought by individuals and organizations from every sector.  As a professional speaker, Novak has brought the Conquering Adversity message to thousands of people with keynote presentations at conferences, meetings and special events across the country as well as Canada and Europe. 

“I also try to use the book and message to support good causes,” Novak adds.  For example, he partnered with McClurg Associates after hurricane Katrina to donate 300 of his books to every police officer and firefighter in Biloxi, Mississippi.  The Summit Team also supports many school and community inititiaves.

Novak signs books after a presentation in 2005   to military families stationed in Belgium.

For more information on The Summit Team or Conquering Adversity, visit Novak’s website at www.Summit-Team.com or call his office (315) 673-1323.