A.J. Novak has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Response Team 1, a national provider of property restoration, water damage recovery and renovation services for commercial, industrial, institutional and residential customers.

In his new position, Novak is responsible for revenue performance, sales strategy and brand enhancement, and will direct the firm’s sales and marketing strategy and execution. He will help develop go-to-market strategies that accelerate sales effectiveness for local operations, while accelerating regional and national revenue sources.

“With more than 20 years of sales and marketing leadership experience, A.J. is well positioned to successfully lead our national marketing strategy and build the Response Team 1 brand,” said John M. Goense, Chairman. “He has successfully grown market share in existing and new markets both domestically and internationally, and his extensive expertise will help grow and establish Response Team 1 as the premier national property restoration provider.”

Response Team 1 serves 34 states from 25 locations with high quality residential and commercial property restoration and renovation services.

Previously, Novak served as Vice President of Marketing and Strategy Development for BCR Environmental Corporation, a leading innovator in the management and treatment of biosolids based in Jacksonville, Fla. In that role, he handled all aspects of marketing, market research and corporate communications.

Prior to that position, Novak served as strategic business director for Waste Management, Inc. During his more than 20-year tenure at Waste Management, Novak helped grow the company’s strategic account department annual revenue from $50 million to more than $1 billion.  Additionally, he led a sales force transformation for Waste Management’s vertical market strategy that delivered more than $1 billion in new business.

Novak, a Naperville, Ill. resident, graduated from Loyola University of Chicago with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He also received advanced executive training in innovation and strategy at MIT Sloan School of Management in Cambridge, Mass.

Novak currently serves on the board of directors of The Hundred Club of DuPage County, which provides financial support to police, firefighters and first responders.