Daily News

Charter Oak Financial General Agent Pete Novak Inducted into Industry Hall of Fame

HOLYOKE — Peter Novak, general agent of Charter Oak Financial, a MassMutual firm, was inducted into the GAMA International Management Hall of Fame on March 18 in recognition of his career-long contributions to and leadership in the financial-services industry.

The Hall of Fame Award is regarded as the highest honor bestowed upon distinguished insurance and financial-services distribution field leaders and is granted based on a nominee’s accomplishments in advancing the art and science of agency/firm building, advancing the mission and work of the financial services industry, enhancing the quality of public and private life, and promoting professional education in the financial-services industry. 

A 35-year industry veteran, Novak has been a MassMutual field leader since joining the company in 1995. Under the leadership of Novak and his partner, General Agent Brendan Naughton, Charter Oak has grown regionally to include presence in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. The firm has historically won MassMutual’s most prestigious awards for growth and leadership. Novak previously served as general agent to MassMutual’s Rochester, N.Y. agency; co-general agent at the New England/Robinson Co. in Waterbury, Conn.; and as an agent at New York Life Insurance Co.

Novak has been a GAMA member since 1985, with service to the boards of both GAMA International (2015-17) and the GAMA Foundation (2004-06). A contributor to the organization’s research, publications, and conferences, he has been recognized regularly with numerous GAMA awards, including the James Krueger First in Class Award (2010-11, 2017), International Management Award (2004-06, 2008-14), Master Agency Award (2002, 2007-17), the National Management Award (NMA), platinum level (2001-03); and the Cy Pick Award (2018). He received the NMA Traditional Gold Award in 2000 after earning his first NMA in 1999.

“Pete has been a GAMA member for 30 years, and his contributions have been significant,” said GAMA International CEO Bonnie Godsman. “From speaking on stage at LAMP to being a thought leader in the GAMA Foundation boardroom, Pete has help shaped GAMA and the profession at large. We are proud to induct him into the Hall of Fame.”

MassMutual Chairman, President, and CEO Roger Crandall added that “Pete is deserving of a place in the GAMA International Hall of Fame by virtue of the example he sets through his outstanding leadership, generosity, and extraordinary accomplishments.”

In addition to his work with GAMA, Novak is the co-founder of the Charter Oak Fund, Charter Oak’s charitable arm, which supports numerous local philanthropic causes and organizations; a member of the board of trustees of the Kosciuszko Foundation; and a board member of the Central European Institute (CEI) at Quinnipiac University. In 2013, he and his wife, Kasia, established the Novak Family Polish Chair at the university in support of CEI to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Eastern European countries with developing economies. His travels to Poland in this capacity have been instrumental in bridging the gap between the business and insurance industries here and in Poland.