Alan P. Novak is president and founder of Novak Strategic Advisors (NSA).

When the firm was established in 2001, Mr. Novak set out to build a public and government affairs firm dedicated to helping clients establish relationships and meet their strategic goals through intense, personalized grassroots campaigns. Today, he leads the NSA team with over 30 years of experience that helps NSA clients achieve one thing: results.

Whether raising a client’s profile, having input on legislation, or building strategic coalitions, NSA clients can always count on Mr. Novak’s personal attention and creativity. They also benefit from an extensive network of contacts that bring clients together with public and private-sector leaders Mr. Novak has known for many years.

Always visible, Mr. Novak is regularly sought out by news media to comment on the political process. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News Network, ABC, MSNBC, Philadelphia talk radio programs, as well as many of Pennsylvania’s local news programs.

It is both Mr. Novak’s high profile and attention to the smallest details that have attracted a national client list to the firm. Mr. Novak’s representation ranges from Fortune 500 companies to charitable organizations and small businesses. On their behalf, he has effectively secured procurement contracts, achieved legislative victories, educated leaders about clients’ issues, and developed relationships with government entities.

Notably, Mr. Novak’s work on behalf of clients has led to legislation and state regulatory changes in the areas of gaming, the environment, taxes and state regulated alcohol sales.

Mr. Novak describes his representation as being “constant and conscientious,” the value of which he learned as both an attorney and political party leader.

At Conrad O’Brien, Mr. Novak practices in municipal law and land use law as well as civil litigation. Known for his legal expertise in local government, Mr. Novak served as solicitor for several municipal authorities, local governments and local government entities. Today he is of counsel with the firm.

Mr. Novak was also the longest serving Chairman of Pennsylvania’s Republican Party (1996-2005). In this role, he was the architect of nearly a decade of Republican dominance in statewide elections and was regularly recognized on PoliticsPA.com’s “Power 50 List” as one of the fifty most politically powerful Pennsylvanians. When Mr. Novak stepped down as Chairman, one political power broker described Mr. Novak as someone with the “ability to persuade, cajole and convince somebody they should do something.”

It is with that same finesse that Mr. Novak worked on the Corbett Transition Team as well as serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Ursinus College, the Chester County Economic Development Council, and several community non-profit boards. 

Mr. Novak is a 1971 graduate of Ursinus College and a 1975 graduate of Villanova Law School.

Judy leads Novak Strategic Advisors' Harrisburg office as a Partner and the firm's Director of Lobbying Services.

Judy brings a background in law and legislative affairs to the firm gained from 21 years of experience in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg.

A lobbyist since 1997, Judy previously served a four year run as counsel to the Senate of Pennsylvania’s Democrat caucus. In that capacity, she advised five legislative committees for the caucus: Aging and Youth; Banking and Insurance; Labor and Industry; Local Government and Veterans’ Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.

Judy has worked on a number of key legislative and regulatory issues in her capacity as a Senate attorney and as a lobbyist, including: agriculture and environmental issues, such as Growing Greener, conservation/preservation easements and alternative energy; workers’ compensation reforms; health care reform; banks selling insurance; tort reform; local tax reform; tax credit legislation; General Fund Budget and Capital Budget issues; changes to the PACE and CHIP programs; telecommunications; gambling; education; transportation legislation and Tobacco Master Settlement legislation.

Prior to her legislative experience, Judy practiced insurance defense litigation in Pittsburgh for four years concentrating in workers’ compensation, personal injury and products liability, toxic torts, ERISA and trademark and contract litigation.

Judy is originally from Buffalo, New York where she graduated from Canisius College in 1986 with a degree in Political Science/Pre-Law. She moved to Pittsburgh to attend Duquesne University School of Law where she earned her Juris Doctor degree in 1989. She currently resides in Harrisburg and is past President and current Board member of the Pennsylvania Association of Government Relations.

After serving 24 years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Senior Consultant Bob Flick brings to Novak Strategic Advisors a reputation for bipartisan, seasoned leadership with particular expertise in the areas of education, labor, consumer affairs and information security. He brings his extensive network within the Capitol and throughout the region to the firm.

Elected 12 times to represent the 167th Legislative District located on the suburban Main Line area of Philadelphia, Bob was the 14th ranking Republican in the House upon his retirement in 2006. During that time, he served in several leadership positions, including Majority Chairman for the House Consumer Affairs, Finance, Labor Relations, and Intergovernmental Affairs Committees.

A tireless advocate for a “common sense approach to government,” Bob authored over 20 pieces of legislation that were signed into law, including initiatives in the areas of education, workforce development, and welfare reform.

In 2001, Bob authored Act 114, which overhauled Pennsylvania’s 39 job-training programs to provide better coordination, cost efficiencies, and more accountability through performance-based initiatives. He was the champion and author of the first piece of educational reform legislation signed into law during the Ridge Administration (Act 66 of 1996). This law abolished terminal and travel sabbatical leaves for teachers in public schools and placed requirements on educational sabbaticals to enhance teaching skills. During the 1994/95 overhaul of Pennsylvania’s welfare system, Bob played a pivotal role authoring legislation that eliminated the “transitionally needy” category, which provided cash grants to able-bodied adults, implemented job-training, parental responsibility, and “workfare” programs designed to secure economic self-sufficiency for recipients.

During Bob’s final term in the House, the Speaker of the House appointed Bob to serve as Chairman of the Bi-Partisan House Select Committee on Information Security. Bob’s goal and objective was to determine whether state agencies and their related entities had the appropriate and necessary information security measures in place to protect the confidentiality and integrity of the financial, health and other personal information of the Commonwealth’s residents from unauthorized access, use and disclosure. During that time, Bob worked with Governor Rendell’s Cabinet Secretaries and Carnegie Melon University’s world-renown cyber information security research officials to implement model information security controls and techniques.

Over the years, Bob’s notable service and accomplishments have earned him several recognitions and awards, including: Citizen of the Year Award from Chester County Chamber of Commerce (2006); the Spirit of Free Enterprise Award from the Chester and Delaware Chambers of Commerce (2004), and the Outstanding Legislative Member from the American Legislative Exchange Council’s (ALEC) National Task Force on Empowerment (1996). Bob was also honored with the Patriot Award from the Paoli Battlefield Preservation Association for helping to save the Paoli Battlefield (2003) and the Eagle Award, which is given to the strongest advocate for small business in the area from LeTip of Chester County (2002). He was named Public Service Leader of the Year by the United Way of Southeast Pennsylvania (1990) and Legislator of the Year by the ALEC in recognition of his dedication to promoting Jeffersonian ideals of Free Enterprise (1988).

Before seeking election to the House of Representatives, Bob enjoyed a successful 14-year real estate career rising to the position of Vice President of Sales for Roach Brothers Realtors. A graduate of Lower Merion High School, Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Villanova University. From 1966-1972, he served with and was honorably discharged from the United States Army Reserve 358th Civil Affairs Headquarters Company. Bob and his wife, Patti, reside in Malvern. They have three sons and are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren; Kyle, Brendan, Mackenzie, Caroline, Dylanie, Marshall Grace, Lauren, Brody, and Robert Brooks Flick.

Over the last decade, few have worked as closely with Pennsylvania’s top public officials as Dan Hayward. At age 25, he was named one of the youngest state party executive directors in the country, where he worked with U.S. Senators Rick Santorum and Arlen Specter, numerous members of the state legislature, and local officials in all 67 counties to continue the Republican dominance in Pennsylvania’s campaigns and elections.

In March of 2005, Dan was hired as a Senior Associate at Novak Strategic Advisors, bringing his years of expertise and numerous contacts to NSA. Dan specializes in state lobbying, county procurement efforts, and directs all of NSA’s corporate grassroots campaigns. Dan has taken his campaign skills and brought them to many issue campaigns he directs at NSA. Dan has successfully tackled issue campaigns that target some of the most pressing and complicated issues facing Pennsylvania. Issues such as Marcellus Shale development, taxation, liquor laws and work force fairness issues are just a few difficult subjects Dan has tackled for his clients at NSA.

Today, as a Partner at Novak Strategic Advisors, Dan’s experience is helping clients achieve wins of their own in the halls of local, state and national governments and on grassroots and public affairs campaigns across Pennsylvania. 

Dan was named Executive Director of the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania on January 1, 2004. As Executive Director, he coordinated the committee’s strategic planning and operations, including the implementation of all political, finance and communication functions of the Party and its candidates. During his tenure as executive director, Dan guided the State Party’s grassroots efforts in the 2004 primary, winning both hotly contested races, and that fall’s U.S. Senate and Presidential elections.

Prior to being named Executive Director, Dan spent two years as the Party’s political director and successfully led the grassroots operation that carried all seven Republican statewide judicial candidates to victory in 2001. As political director, Dan organized the grassroots operations, mail and phone programs, voter targeting and GOTV efforts. He was also responsible for media relations with local, state, and national media outlets, along with message development and communication to all affiliated Republican groups and activists statewide.

Dan is a Magna Cum Laude graduate from Shippensburg University with Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Political Science and History. Born and raised in Milford, Pennsylvania, he’s still active in his home county’s politics, advising local candidates and assisting with voter targeting at the municipal level.

Dan lives in Harrisburg. In his spare time, he enjoys playing water polo, actively participating in diabetic research and treatment foundations and fishing along the streams and tributaries of the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers.

As Partner and Government Relations Director, Angela Leopold manages the grassroots/issue advocacy division at Novak Strategic Advisors.

In this role, Angela is responsible for directing top to bottom grassroots campaigns, earned media initiatives, and coalition building activities. She has worked on a number of state and national issues ranging from the healthcare industry to taxation issues.

Angela takes the time to develop creative, direct approaches to navigating grassroots campaigns with consensus building, credible reputations, excellent relationships, and strong, broad-based coalition networks.

Additionally, Angela provides lobbying services for NSA clients. Her ability to quickly analyze pertinent legislation, political climates, and public opinion has contributed to legislative victories in the areas of agriculture, gaming, and the waste industry on behalf of NSA clients.

Those accomplishments and other successes have come as a result of Angela’s established and highly-productive working relationships with state and federal elected officials and their staffs, as well as professional organizations and business leaders throughout Pennsylvania.

Before joining NSA, Angela served as Deputy Finance Director at the Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania (RSC). In that position, she helped raise over $2.5 million for the RSC through events, direct mail, telemarketing, and new donor prospecting.

Angela is a graduate of Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

In her spare time, Angela enjoys spending time with her husband, Joseph, reading, golfing, and running.

Lauren joined the Novak Strategic Advisors team in 2009 as an Associate. In this role, Lauren oversees all of the general office operations and assists with many legislative projects that directly affect our vast portfolio of clients.

Prior to joining NSA, Lauren gained valuable experience as an intern to Congressman Bill Shuster, 9th District of Pennsylvania. As an intern, Lauren’s duties included research for constituent inquiries, direct constituent correspondence through letters and phone communication, constituent tours of the U.S. Capital, and general office duties

Lauren also was an intern in the Office of Communications for former Pennsylvania State Treasurer, Robin L. Wiessmann. In this role, Lauren tracked and reported on key pieces of legislation to senior staff members. In addition, she provided support to the Treasury’s team in the branding campaign for the Pennsylvania 529 College Savings Program. She assisted with market research, producing television commercials, developing an enrollment kit for new account holders, and designing a website. Lauren also assisted with the inaugural planning for Treasurer Wiessmann.

Lauren is a 2009 graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in History.

Born in Winter Park, Florida, Lauren resides in Carlisle, PA. She is an avid runner, enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family

As a Senior Associate with Novak Strategic Advisors, Caroline Anderson Novak brings to the team more than 20 years experience in government and public affairs, communications, event planning, association management, organizational development and coalition building.

Today, Caroline’s work is primarily focused on Pennsylvania’s agriculture community and ensuring the Commonwealth’s farm land and agribusiness remains viable and sustainable. Her wide range of experience and expertise are put to work for NSA clients with coalition building, strategic communications, and grassroots lobbying, as well as event and meeting planning, and fundraising needs.

Caroline is the primary consultant with Lancaster Farmland Trust, the Lancaster County Agricultural Preservation Board, the American Farmland Trust and other organizations interested in preserving the treasured farmland of Lancaster County. Through her grassroots efforts and organization, this coalition is working to build a consortium of private organizations and public officials to raise funds, awareness and resources for an effort to pick up the pace of farmland preservation in the County.

Prior to her work with NSA, Caroline served under Governor Tom Ridge as the Director of Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Employer and Career Services, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s lead agency on Employment Services and Workforce Development. There she managed approximately 1500 employees in the delivery of unemployment compensation, training and employment services for Pennsylvania’s employers and job seekers. Responsible for an annual budget exceeding $50 million from multiple Federal and State funding streams, Caroline lead the overall operation (programmatic and operational) of the Employment Services portion of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 and related services, including: employment programs for veterans, welfare recipients, unemployment compensation claimants, agricultural workers and older workers; services for employers; and Alien Labor Certification Services. These services were administered to the public from seventy-five field sites throughout the Commonwealth.

Before assuming her leadership position in State Workforce issues, Caroline served as the Director of Public Relations and Human Resources for the City of Coatesville Authority, Coatesville, PA. Here, she was responsible for all aspects of personnel management including hiring, termination and employment practices, training, compliance with state and federal employment laws, benefits and labor relations. In addition, she conducted all of the Authority’s communications with customers and governmental bodies it served and developed public relations programs to enhance the image of the Authority and increase water and wastewater industry awareness.

A Pennsylvania native, but graduate of West Virginia University, Caroline first utilized her political acumen and public relations experience in Charleston, WV as a Public/Government Relations Consultant, monitoring and lobbying legislation and state agency regulations on behalf of various businesses and trade associations. In this role, she developed and executed public relations strategies for clients that included local governments and authorities, as well as major trade associations and corporations; press conferences and releases; purchased media time; wrote advertisements, community and member newsletters.

Caroline began her career as Press Aid to the Governor of West Virginia upon her graduation from West Virginia University where she earned a B.S. in English and Political Science.

With a decade of experience in government and politics, Craig Tucker knows that success is directly related to consensus building and creating cohesive coalitions. A go-to guy for problem solving and creative solutions, Craig earned his stripes at the local and county levels of government and politics. Today, he is known for his ability to maneuver through both the stickiest bureaucratic red tape and most elite political circles.

Novak Strategic Advisors is not the first alliance between Craig and Alan Novak. Most recently, Craig served under Mr. Novak as executive director of the Chester County Republican Committee. During that time, the county party distinguished itself among Pennsylvania’s 67 counties as one that could lead the pack in fundraising and deliver critical vote margins for local, state, and national candidates.

In 2000, Craig devised and coordinated the campaign strategies and fundraising prowess that made Chester County the only southeastern Pennsylvania county that delivered for President George W. Bush. Their success earned high marks from President Bush’s political team.

Through his work on the West Chester Planning Commission and as administrative analyst for the County of Chester, Craig was involved with the implementation of the award-winning Landscapes program. In an effort to prevent suburban sprawl, this proactive policy initiative provided a framework not only for the future growth of Chester County, but also for the protection of its natural and historic resources.

Rounding out his credentials as a problem-solver and motivator, Craig served as Operations Manager at the Intercollegiate Studies Institute where he initiated several new policies that dramatically increased readership to their publications. Craig also served as a field representative for the College National Republican Committee where he coordinated all Presidential Youth Campaign activities, including voter registration drives on 40 campuses in Ohio and Michigan.

Craig holds a Masters in Government Affairs from the University of Pennsylvania, Fels Center of Government and earned his bachelors degree from Dickinson College.

R. Keith Hite was appointed executive director of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) on January 1, 2000. He was only the fourth executive director in the Association's 80-year history. Prior to his appointment, he served as assistant executive director of the Association beginning in 1980.

PSATS is a statewide organization representing Pennsylvania’s 1,456 townships and serving their more than 10,000 public officials and 4.5 million residents. He retired from the Association at the close of 2009.

As executive director, he was responsible for directing the Association's 50-member staff; developing and managing the association and its affiliate bodies’ fiscal portfolio; and, overseeing and managing the Association's legislative, communications, educational and member services' initiatives and strategies. He also directed the Association's various insurance and affinity programs.

He is past president of the National Association of Towns and Townships (NaTAT) and represented both NaTAT and PSATS on numerous state and federal agency boards and commissions. He also served as chairman of the PA Local Government Conference, a consortium of the state’s local government associations.

Prior to joining the Association, he served as executive assistant to the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs where he served four cabinet officers in two different administrations. He served as legislative advisor to the Secretary prior to his appointment as executive assistant.

Most recently, he co-chaired Governor Tom Corbett’s Local Government Transition Team and was employed by Malady & Wooten, a Harrisburg-based government affairs firm.

He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor in Science degree in Public Administration. He also served in the U.S. Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam.

He serves on the board of directors of the Riverview National Bank, the Susquehanna Valley Center for Public Policy, and the Grand Slam Club Ovis (an international conservation organization). Hite and his wife, Linda, have one son, Marcus.

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