Sandler is proud to announce the opening of its Phoenix, Maryland franchise location, Sandler by Summit Performance Consulting LLC, led by founder Rusty Schlessman. The transition marks the next chapter of growth and continued excellence for businesses in the region which was started by Larry van Sant over a decade ago under the Sandler brand.
For more than 10 years, the Maryland location—formerly led by Larry Van Sant has been a trusted partner to organizations seeking to improve sales performance and leadership effectiveness. Sandler extends its gratitude to Larry for his dedication and years of service in advancing the success of countless professionals throughout the area.
A New Era of Growth Under Summit Performance Consulting
As the new franchise owner, Rusty Schlessman brings over 20 years of experience in executive leadership, consulting, and sales enablement to the Sandler® network. Through his firm, Sandler by Summit Performance Consulting, Rusty will guide organizations toward peak performance by integrating proven sales training, communication coaching, and strategic growth consulting.
Before launching Sandler by Summit Performance Consulting, Rusty held leadership roles in the corporate sector, where he led large-scale transformation initiatives, advised senior executives, and built high-performing sales teams. His deep expertise in leadership development and organizational performance has earned him a reputation as a trusted advisor who drives measurable results in revenue growth, client engagement, and team alignment.
“Rusty joins Sandler as a proven trusted advisor to executive teams and sales organizations. That credibility matters to our clients. Coupled with Summit Performance Consulting’s focus on measurable outcomes, we expect a seamless transition from Larry’s stewardship and a new chapter of growth for Phoenix.”
— Marni Smith, VP, Franchise Development, Sandler
Continuing the Sandler Legacy
Sandler remains committed to empowering professionals and organizations worldwide through its proven sales and leadership development methodology. With Rusty and Sandler by Summit Performance Consulting at the helm, the Phoenix, MD franchise is positioned to deliver even greater results to clients across the Mid-Atlantic region.
With over 200 Sandler franchise locations worldwide, Sandler continues to be a top choice for entrepreneurs seeking business coaching franchise opportunities backed by a proven methodology.
To learn more about bringing a Sandler franchise to your area, contact franchising@sandler.com.
