JAN NOVAK
Business leader and educator. Experienced classroom and online educator in a broad range of business courses. Deep functional strengths in business planning and strategy, consumer marketing, international market development, and finance.
Teaching Experience:
Chabot College
August 2004-present
Business Instructor, teaching Business Law, Business Math, Human Relations in the Workplace, Human Resource Management, and Introduction to Business. Teaching both online and campus sections.
Diablo Valley College
August 2002-May 2004
Adjunct Business Instructor, teaching Business Math, Business Communications, Business Etiquette, Business Email and Cooperative Work Experience. Extensive online and classroom experience.
University of West Georgia
Fall 2002
Executive-in-Residence, teaching career planning, business ethics and business law to business and mass communications students.
University of Illinois at Urbana
January 1978-June 1979
Teaching assistant (67% time) for Business Communications classes. Sole instructor for 2 sections of undergraduate students each semester. Nominated for Outstanding Teaching Assistant award.
Work Experience:
The Monsanto Company
June 1981-July 1998 President, Sustainable Development Business Sector
January 1997-July 1998
Created and secured seed funding for new businesses in aquaculture, drinking water, bioengineered saltwater-tolerant agricultural plants and bioengineered garden plants. Developed strategy and business plan and staffed entirely new business sector within Monsanto established to find more environmentally sustainable approaches to providing food and water to a growing global population.
President, The Solaris Group
January 1992-January 1997
Led the rapid expansion of Monsanto's global consumer garden products business to more than $500 million in revenue. More than tripled profits through four acquisitions (two ex-U.S.) and internal growth, combined with strong cost control measures. Doubled sales of Monsanto’s core product, RoundUp, through innovative consumer marketing, international expansion and strengthened retailer partnerships.
Vice President, Sales & Marketing, NutraSweet
January 1991-January 1992
Responsible for global marketing and U.S. sales for the NutraSweet brand sweetener ingredient. Negotiated $1 billion of multi-year contracts with major customers to secure business through U.S. patent expiration. Developed and implemented $100 million global marketing plan.
Vice President, International Operations, NutraSweet
June 1988-January 1991
Led the rapid growth and international expansion of the NutraSweet ingredient business in all ex-U.S. areas, including a European joint venture with a Japanese food company and construction of a new manufacturing facility in Brazil. Led Canadian operation through patent expiration, retaining 99% market share. Grew European sales by 40% per year, and more than doubled Latin American and Asian sales.
Director, International Market Development, NutraSweet
January 1987-June 1988
Developed new markets for NutraSweet in Latin America and Asia by securing necessary regulatory approvals, developing distributor relationships, recruiting local staff, and closing initial leading brand accounts. Introduced NutraSweet into 10 new countries in 18 months.
Senior Product Manager, Women’s Health, Searle
January 1985-January 1987
Managed $100M portfolio of pharmaceutical products targeted at women's gynecological health needs. Doubled sales and tripled profits of lead oral contraceptive through innovative marketing to physicians.
New Product Manager, Searle January 1984-January 1985 Developed business plans for new products awaiting FDA approval.
Manager, Business Planning and Analysis, and other financial positions, Searle
June 1981-January 1984
Zenith Radio Corporation
August 1979-June 1981
Held increasingly responsible positions in budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis and product analysis.
Education:
Certificate in Online Teaching--Advanced Track, UCLA Extension
August 2004
Coursework in on-line teaching, University of California Berkeley Extension Online
Spring 2003
Masters of Business Administration with concentration in Finance, University of
Illinois at Urbana
August 1979
Bachelor of Science in Journalism, with honors, University of Illinois at Urbana
June 1977
Volunteer Experience:
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA):
Court advocate for teenage foster children
Team leader for 10 advocates
March 2000-present
Master Gardeners Association
Master Gardener volunteer, primarily in children's programs and public outreach programs
January 2001-present
Member of various industry associations throughout business career, including Board memberships and a Board presidency
Association Memberships:
National Business Education Association
Marketing Educators Association