It gives me great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Dr. Jason Carthen, who provided an outstanding keynote, "Exemplary Leadership: the Art of Motivation," to nearly 200 participants, at our Annual Administrative Academy.

The Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County is the largest agency of its type in the State of Ohio, and we pride ourselves on our ability to provide and deliver high-quality professional development programs and services throughout Northeast Ohio.

For our academy, Dr. Carthen took the time to personally speak with us prior to the event so that he could design a program that that would be specific and customized to meet our needs! He is an outstanding speaker who through humor, real-life experiences and motivation, was able to share and deliver a compelling message. If you are seeking a keynote, conference or motivational speaker for your staff, students or your community members, look no further!

Dr. Jason gave a powerful, challenging, and stirring message in chapel that captured the hearts of our students and faculty. As a University president, I've heard a lot of campus presentations over more than 35 years, Dr. Jason's was one of the most well received by our students!

Dr. Carthen's keynote and discussion on the four key concepts needed for success in life were clear and powerful. Quite frankly he was a valuable addition to the culture building process we began in our inaugural year! I would gladly recommend Dr. Carthen to visit any school or youth organization to encourage and motivate young people in your area.

Dr. Carthen delivered an impassioned and engaging message to the students and attendees as he emphasized servant leadership and compassion for others. His message is timely, in our cultural climate, as he emphasized not only a call to action, hard work, and persistence, but also to be empathetic, courageous, and kind to others.

Dr. Carthen was an absolute pleasure to work with and have on campus. He was incredibly professional and attentive to our students and other attendees of both events. I highly recommend Dr. Carthen to anyone, corporate-based or educational institutions, who is looking to energize and invigorate their teams in an uplifting direction. Dr. Carthen lives an exuberant life and is a shining example of the message he shares.

Dr. Carthen spoke to the Bethel University community and I can tell you from firsthand experience that our students were captivated, encouraged, challenged, motivated and moved by Dr. Carthen! Our students lingered long after the event was over to talk with him, take pictures with him and glean any wisdom that they could. He was gracious, kind and accommodating in every sense of the word.

He was most definitely one of the highlights of our academic year. Without hesitation or reservation, I would recommend that you bring Jason Carthen to your institution. We expect to have him back in the very near future!

Simply Outstanding...You are definitely a voice for these times. Your ability to use humor and blend it with key business concepts is amazing.

I got the opportunity to hear Jason for the first time and I heard a side of Jason that I never knew…and it was so inspirational. The audience will take away things that they will remember for the rest of their lives. Thank you Jason

Your message was riveting and the delivery was spot on. Your connection with the audience was transforming as evidenced by the crowd that lingered to spend more time with you once the formal program had ended. Your willingness to stay until the last one left the theater added a refreshing degree of authenticity that renders your personal story of achievement over adversity all the more compelling.

As an accomplished athlete, scholar, and humble servant of God, you have a unique platform on which to inspire the body, mind, and soul. Thanks Jason, for heeding this calling and giving of yourself so freely. You are a difference maker, and I look forward to future opportunities for us to build on this wonderful beginning.

Dr. Carthen's style and gracious presentation captivated students, who, in any other context can be put off by motivational concepts. On the contrary, Dr. Carthen's presentation stood in stark contrast to that pattern! Students exuded a deep sense of genuine appreciation for Dr. Carthen's motivational, relevant, heart-felt and practical wisdom. It is without reservation that I offer my endorsement of Dr. Jason Carthen and his message!

"Learning from Dr. Carthen was an honor.” His presentation style is engaging, and he combines clear and precise thinking about leadership issues with an insistence on practical application – something to “take home” as he likes to say. My life has been enriched and my leadership skills enhanced by my association with Dr. Carthen

From the onset of his talk, it was clear Dr. Carthen has a genuine passion for his topics and as well, a deep commitment to the success of youth. Students were especially impressed with Dr. Carthen's ability to be candid while at the same time use appropriate humor to get across his thoughts and ideas. Following his talk a long line of students patiently waited to engage him in conversation and ask follow-up questions, to the point we had to adjust just to accommodate such a large group! Dr. Carthen is a genuine and exceptionally gifted speaker whom I believe can connect to any type of audience.

Jason Carthen exudes personality, confidence and passion, a passion that can only come from a core belief in the singularly important things in life. He speaks directly to his audiences as if he had known them for years in a manner that is comfortable, understandable and inspirational. Life's experiences have taken him from poverty to wealth, unknown to celebrated, a healthy athlete to a broken body and spirit. Such makes him uniquely qualified to educate and entertain while reaching into the hearts and souls of his audience. He gives back to others by sharing his inner person with them in a way that very few can do.

I was absolutely blown away by Dr. Jason's keynote message and how he interacted with the audience!

I just want to say that it was a blessing to be in attendance of Jason Carthen servant leadership/emotional intelligence speech at my alma mater and now work place, Notre Dame College. Thought provoking to say the least. Great food for thought and inspiration to do better and to want better for yourself and others. His speech helped me realize that no matter where you get at in life that there will always be struggles/barriers/roadblocks. However, it is not entirely about the struggle it is about how you handle it. How you rise to the occasion. How you would answer the call.

Dr. Carthen's powerful message about servant leadership and emotional intelligence will resonate with our students and influence both their career choices and life decisions!

What a positive difference Jason made on our campus - thank you for making such an impact on our students, staff, and faculty!

From the moment I met him on campus, Jason Carthen, brought a sense of love, energy and enthusiasm that was both contagious with me and the students on campus as well as welcoming."

"Carthen made me want to "Be the One" for my students and colleagues. He truly reached my soul during his time on campus and his teachings on being a servant leader and emotional intelligence were perfect for all of us on campus to embrace!

His engaging stage presence, masterful command of his material, and unassailable experience in leading high-performing organizations and groundbreaking endeavors, Dr. Carthen was a welcomed and reassuring presence at our conclave. He surpassed even our already high expectations!

Dr. Jason Carthen is the Real Deal! Nobody who encounters one of Dr. Carthen's talks can come away without being challenged, cheered, or changed in some important way. From the impeccable way he and his team approach pre-event research, to his unique ability to instantly adapt his presentation and delivery in response to the unique situation and needs of his audience. You want Dr. Carthen for your event!