A Founding Partner, Leader, and Friend

Peter F. Novak helped build Novak Francella with a belief in doing right by others: clients, colleagues, and the working families we proudly serve. As we reflect on his life and leadership, and as we approach our 25th anniversary as a firm, we remain guided by the values he championed.

Peter led with intention, humility, and trust. He encouraged people to take ownership of their work and made space for others to grow. He believed that leadership began with listening and was quick to credit others for success.

He approached growth with a clear vision and a strong sense of shared purpose. He took great pride in building a firm that could evolve over time while remaining grounded in long-standing client relationships and a collaborative internal culture.

“Peter believed in mentoring people for the long run,
not just for the job in front of them.”

“He and I dreamed up the firm at a restaurant in North Jersey. He was energized by the idea of building something from scratch.” — Brian Francella

“He didn’t react quickly. He reflected, and always came back with something meaningful.” — Michael Novak

“Peter set a culture that valued trust over hierarchy. He always did what had to be done,
no matter the title.” — Jackie Coyle

Peter’s legacy is more than a memory. It is the foundation of how we work.

Novak Francella stands strong today, shaped by the values Peter instilled from the start: excellence, trust, and a deep respect for the people we serve. His influence lives on through a new generation of leaders, many of whom he mentored, who carry his vision forward with clarity, purpose, and pride.

As we look toward our 25th year, Novak Francella’s next chapter continues to be shaped by the same steady focus on client relationships, technical expertise, and long-term growth. This work remains grounded in the culture Peter built and the trust he inspired.

We are proud to carry his vision forward.