Amy Vandaveer Novak

Senior Professor of Practice

Amy Vandaveer Novak

Bio

Amy Vandaveer Novak is a Senior Professor of Practice in the Marketing Department teaching Professional Selling and Personal Branding. She brings her real world experiences to the classroom and emphasizes the importance of sales and communication in any environment, professionally or personally. Amy also teaches Business Communications MBA Program and MS in Sales Leadership. She has been recognized as an outstanding instructor by receiving the Program for Excellence in Selling's Teaching Award in 2002, the Bauer College of Business Teaching Excellence Award in 2013 and 2019, and the University of Houston's Excellence in Teaching Awards for Clinical Faculty and Group Teaching in the Program for Excellence in Selling in 2016..

Amy has over 10 years business experience in sales, marketing, and training. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M University and studied English and Speech Communications, while earning her teaching certification. Upon graduation, she worked abroad in London before returning to Houston as a corporate recruiter for Reynolds and Reynolds, specializing in sales and marketing. Also at this time, Amy began teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston and the C. T. Bauer College of Business, a position she held for nine years.

As Amy transitioned her career from recruiting to marketing, she worked with Reynolds and Reynolds' sales force to promote their software products throughout the United States, Mexico and Brazil. She then joined the Bauer College staff to market and recruit for the Executive MBA before going to work as the training manager for Dovarri, a start up CRM company, conducting sales and client training. Following her experience at Dovarri, Amy joined the team at Texas Monthly magazine as an account manager, where she did advertising sales and consulted with clients on their marketing needs. Her unique experience in marketing and sales, combined with her knowledge of communication methods, gives her the ability to bridge both worlds and use her experience to translate how they are an integral part of success in business.

Professor Vandaveer Novak also works with organizations to improve their effectiveness through providing executive education and training and is a respected keynote speaker. Her content areas include: Sales, Marketing, Needs Assessment, Personal Branding, Communication, Presentations, Crucial Conversations, and Business Acumen. Her past clients include: Schlumberger, CenterPoint Energy, AIG, Exxon Mobil, CITGO, 3M, Ecolab, and HISD.

Areas of Expertise

  • Sales
  • Marketing
  • Communication
  • Personal Branding
  • Crucial Conversations
  • Presentation Skills

Working Papers

Strategic Personal Branding, And how it pays off: Deva Rangarajan, Betsy D. Gelb, Amy Vandaveer - Business Horizons Volume 60, Issue 5, September–October 2017, Pages 657-666

Activities & Interests

Board Member: Skills for Living Skills 4 Living provides award-winning financial, career, and college-planning workshops to at-risk students and low- and moderate-income families in the Greater Houston metropolitan area. The education provided enables participants to build wealth, find fulfilling work and educational opportunities, and ultimately break the cycle of poverty.

Summer Camp Volunteer: Double H Ranch - Serious Fun Camp The Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. All programs are FREE of charge and capture the magic of the Adirondacks.

Contact Info

Phone:
713-743-6075 
Email:
avandaveer@uh.edu
Room:
MH 375B
Website:
No Web Site Currently

Courses

  • GENB 6350 - Business Communications
  • MARK 7369 - International Marketing
  • MARK 3337 - Professional Selling
  • MARK 4397 - Personal Branding

Education

University of Houston: Masters, Business Administration Marketing and International Business

Texas A&M University: Certified Professional Trainer, Adult Learning Competencies

Texas A&M University: Bachelor of Arts, English and Speech Communication, Secondary Education