The People
We have been chided by a handful of our customers over the past few years for not having a profiles page. We do have an unusual combination of individuals; each that enjoys our work, our customers, the hobby and each other's working company.
The Novak Team is:
Dewey
Dewey’s connection with machines knows no bounds. With an innate understanding of machining, metals and naturally, Jeeps, we rely on him for some of our trickiest tasks. With experience in strategic, aerospace, tool-making and production machining, Dewey was instrumental in the setup of Novak as we know it today. His Jeeping experience extends to the Sixties, doing swaps and upgrades first as a necessity, then hobby, and finally a career. His alternative career could have been as a stand-in for Kevin Costner.
Joined: 1999
Jeeps Owned: 1954 Willys Truck, 1968 Wagoneer, 1969 C101 Commando, 1970 J-4000 Pickup, 1988 MJ Commanche, 1989 YJ Wrangler, 1990 XJ Cherokee, 1999 XJ Cherokee
Jeep Aspirations: To manage a few from the above list
Favorite Task: Setting, building, wiring, initiating and programming a new machine
A Hobby: Jeep dreaming
Eric
With a preference towards the technical, Eric fills a role in the areas of mechanical and manufacturing design, programming and technical advising. Eric’s long standing penchant for the computer puts him in the path of 3D mechanical modeling, graphics and networking. Eric has interests in linguistics, logic, writing, economics, etc. In the end, it is mostly a pure passion for Jeeps and the best ways to get power through them. His BA was from Utah State University. He has been called MacGyver by more than a few people.
Joined: 1999
Jeeps Owned: 1969 CJ5, 1989 XJ Cherokee, 1985 SJ Wagoneer, 1997 TJ Wrangler
Jeep Aspirations: 2004 LJ Unlimited (with a 5.3 Vortec & 4L60E), 1949 VJ Jeepster, 1944 Willys MB, 1974 SJ Wagoneer, 1960 Willys Truck,... I'll just take one of each, please.
Favorite Task: Only one? Product dreaming, designing, production, banter with customers.
A Hobby: Thinking about work. Reading History and Economics. Marksmanship.
Preferred Films: North by Northwest. Episode V. Rear Window. World's Fastest Indian
Ken
Ken is our own in-house researcher and someone to who we look. If he doesn't have the answer, he finds it. Ken’s experience in the automotive world predates most of us here, and his collection of helpful knowledge bears this out handily. Locally a virtual legend, his knowledge and ideas run deep and wide. We were pleased to ask Ken to join us in 2003. He practices skill in managing our purchasing of finished goods and exercises valuable exactness in the management of inventory and fulfillment.
Joined: 2003
Jeeps Owned: 1986 CJ7, 1989 MJ Commanche "Eliminator"
Jeep Aspirations: 1986 CJ7 with a GM 4.8L Vortec
Favorite Task: Clearing the fulfillment & shipping tables
A Hobby: Anything involving a Trail 90. Also, mixing household cleaners
Preferred Films: Westerns
Adam
Anyone who would name his Jeep TJ "Ginger" is cool with us. He is a masterful CNC programmer and operator. Adam's innate mechanical abilities (there must be a gene for this) and talent as a designer make such a great part of our group. His mild personality and dry wit are fun additions to our culture. Adam studied as a machinist and is currently enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at USU. We captured him from the world of medical machining. Adam has a deep, psychological need for new machine tools. He also runs with sharp objects.
Joined: 2006
Jeeps Owned: 1997 TJ, 2001 TJ
Jeeps Aspirations: A custom-built CJ2A "flatfender" and an FSJ Wagoneer
Favorite Task: Building parts better, faster and leaner than previously
A Hobby: Putting miles on his Jeep, preferably with the top down
Preferred Films: Cars, Casino Royale, Shawshank Redemption
Matt
Matt came to us from the world of medical machining, fabrication, production CNC operation and setup. Nearly a decade as a machinist, we were pleased that he would come join us. He brings fresh views to machining challenges with solid common sense. Matt has quickly advancing through CNC programming and finds it to be more appealing than expected. He takes very great care of the equipment, keeping machines precise and reliable. He appreciates a good laugh and always has one in return to offer.
Joined: 2006
Favorite Task: Exercising machining ingenuity. Buying really cool, new tools
A Hobby: Hare & Hound Desert Racing, riding the sand dunes, power sports, snow boarding, etc.
Steve
Multi-talented, spatially aware and a craftsman, Steve joined us after a couple years of our coaxing him. He comes to assist us in the construction of our parts and our company. He has a knack for all things mechanical and a drive for doing beautiful work. He is naturally attuned to organization and logistics. His lightning wit nearly puts him into the realm of precognition, and he's our official T-shirt model.
Joined: 2006
Jeeps Owned: 1976 CJ5, 1980 CJ7 Renegade
Jeep Aspirations: Scrambler
Favorite Task: Burrowing his brain into a mechanical challenge
A Hobby: Biking (motorized & non), Art, Jewelry
Preferred Films: Casino Royale, Tommy Boy
Krista
A natural accountant and organizational wizard, Krista was instrumental in designing and assembling the business side of the business. Good sense and accuracy are her hallmarks. Her advice is always welcome and always beneficial. Her default Jeep troubleshooting, however, invariably involves some kind of antifreeze diagnosis.
Joined: 1999
Favorite Task: Monthly ledger reconciliation during strange hours
A Hobby: Photography
Preferred Films: To Catch a Thief, Notting Hill
Jeremy
Mr. Nine Lives is a key man in our Tech & Sales group. Definitely a Jeep guy, he's also mechanically experienced in motorcycles. He is known to have purchased a motorbike a couple of states away, disassembling it on the spot for its return trip home in an economy car. He's highly resilient to wrecks and reassembles well. He's one of those really cool guys that can completely counteract the influences of a total geek (see Eric, above) and bring balance back to the company. Likes food, almost inordinately. He's a graduate of Utah State University.
Joined: 2007
Jeeps Owned: YJ Wrangler, XJ Cherokee, 1986 CJ7, TJ Wrangler, CJ8 Scrambler
Jeep Aspirations: A garage large enough to hold them all
Favorite Task: Taking copious notes and filling his head with the answers to hard questions
A Hobby: Motorbikes
Preferred Films: Walk the Line
Nate
Blazzard brings tremendous Jeep building skill and experience to our group. He's a very skilled and broadly trained mechanic, but has reallly taken a shine to machining, prototyping and toolmaking. He has an innate understanding of machines, processes and what it takes to make parts in an intelligent manner. Vehicle wiring, auto and manual trannies, and conversions are his thing. But, he's stingy with photos. We've informed him that the camera is not likely to steal his soul, and that James Brown could restore it if so. We'll keep at him.
Joined: 2007
Favorite Task: Building, bending, machining, wiring, sharpening and creating
Jeeps Owned: CJ8, aluminum tubbed and Vortec 6.0L-powered
Jeep Aspirations: The above Jeep, only some better version of it
A Hobby: Fabrication, Art
Preferred Films: Batteries Not Included
Ryan
There are some people a company should never be without. Ryan is a universalist in his career; brilliant mechanically, great with customers, technically astute, organized and well educated. He's a high-level outdoor hobbyist and long-standing Jeep adherent.
Joined: 2000
Favorite Task: Organizing, improving, inventing and producing
Jeeps Owned: 1984 XJ's (2 of them), ZJ Grand Cherokee; MJ Commanche
Jeep Aspirations: M715 (with an 8.1L V8)
A Hobby: Marksmanship, Dirt Sports
Preferred Films: He falls asleep during action films. He's kind of messed up that way
Brian
The son of Wood, the Great - is a great gearbox rebuilder. His interests are in physics, math, astronomy, a good microbrew and classic rock.
Brian is very smart, focused and pays attention to details. He's meshed in nicely and is expanding his base of knowledge and skills in manufacturing.
Joined: 2005
Favorite Task: Hitting "Go" on the automated parts washer
Jeeps Owned: His answer to this was unacceptable and unpublishable
A Hobby: Home brewin'
Preferred Films: Dumb & Dumber
Dave
Dave is an enthusiast and mechanical aficionado of the highest order. Though joining us officially in 2009, he's worked with Novak as a collaborator and customer since 2001, having contributing heavily to Novak's popular #171 adapter assembly. His propensity for deep research and innate mechanical abilities make him a shoe-in R&D guy. Dave's skills with automatic transmissions made him key in propelling our Turn-Key transmission program and his recently acquired and Camaro-engine converted JK Wrangler "Bumblebee" have helped to keep Novak at the forefront of its craft.
Joined: 2009
Jeeps Owned: Ultra-custom CJ7. JK Wrangler, 6.2L GM powered
Jeep Aspirations:
Favorite Task:
A Hobby: Scuba,
Preferred Films:
Austin
Joined:2010
Jeeps Owned:'88 XJ
Jeep Aspirations: None
Favorite Task: Creating one-off hand-made parts
A Hobby: Autobody, Fashion, Cycling
Favorite Film: 12 Angry Men
Jeff
Joined:2011
Jeeps Owned: none
Jeep Aspirations: 1972 Chevy Blazer (It's just a full sized jeep with a chevy powertrain)
Favorite Task: building the T-19
A Hobby: Renovate older homes and snowboard when time permits
Favorite Film: The Big Lebowski/Pulp Fiction
Laura
A financial guru of the 10th circle, mother of 5, and multitasker extraordianaire! When she's not managing our fiances, she enjoys time with family and kids
Joined:2012
Jeeps Owned: None yet, but open to the possibility
Jeep Aspirations: None yet
Favorite Task: I love to find solutions!
A Hobby: Planning vacations that one day I'll have time and money to take.
Favorite Film: Far and Away
Tim
Joined: 2011
Jeeps Owned: Too many kids to fit them into any Jeep!
Jeep Aspirations: M715, 8.1L, Dana60's locked up, rolling on 42's
Favorite Task: Anything that makes a customer say OOOHHH! without getting into trouble.
A Hobby: Wheeling & hunting. It's the thrill of the stalk baby.
Favorite Film: Grown ups... and anything with Kate Beckinsale.
David
IT special operative. David knows PHP, MySQL, C++, and Bocce. When he's not working at upgrading the website and Novak's technical heart, he attends school at Utah State University for computer science.
Joined: 2012
Jeeps Owned: none. Happily married to a 1990 Subaru Legacy
Jeep Aspirations: maybe one day I'll get a Jeep.
Favorite Task: Coding Websites
A Hobby: Western Martial-arts
Favorite Film: V for Vendetta
Tyler
I am studying Mechanical Engineering at USU. I love to find how things work and come up with ways to make them better. Worked as a small engine mechanic for five years.
I am working in the Machine Shop as well as helping out hwere needed.
Joined:2012
Jeeps Owned: 1989 Cherokee
Jeep Aspirations: CJ7, CJ8
Favorite Task: Figuring out how things work and making them better
A Hobby: Tinkering, Motor sports (especially riding my Snow-Hawk, Outdoors, Camping
Favorite Film: Live Free or Die Hard, Transformers, The Dark Night
Jason
Joined:2011
Jeeps Owned:None
Jeep Aspirations: Its a Jeep Thing, and I don't understand.
Favorite Task: Wasting time in a duck blind
A Hobby: Hunting, Fishing
Favorite Film: Full Metal Jacket