1. Mission and Core Values

Our mission is simple but powerful: to amplify the positive change created by our association partners. Our values guide every decision and interaction at Novi AMS, fostering a professional environment where creativity, inclusivity, and innovation thrive.

Customer-Centered Innovation

We are driven by the belief that inspired customers create change. By helping our customers confidently use our platform, we enable them to explore new features and ideas that amplify their impact. We focus on continuous value delivery, ensuring that our platform grows with the needs of associations and provides meaningful solutions.

Agility and Impact

At Novi AMS, we prioritize delivering value quickly through iteration and focus. We encourage a "bias to action" among our team, allowing us to remain nimble and adapt swiftly. Learning from our actions and measuring outcomes is key to ensuring that each improvement meaningfully contributes to our mission. 

Collaboration and Empowerment

Collaboration is essential to our culture. We value documentation, transparency, and candid communication to foster teamwork. Every team member is empowered to make decisions, seek assistance when needed, and contribute to solutions. Constructive feedback and a “help-first” attitude ensure that we support each other and our customers effectively.

Embracing a Range of Perspectives

We believe that the strength of our team comes from a mix of backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints, fueling fresh ideas and innovation. By fostering an environment where all voices are valued, we ensure that everyone feels welcome and supported. This approach shapes a culture where different perspectives drive better outcomes for our customers and allow us to impact the broader community positively. 

Continuous Improvement and Vision

At Novi AMS, great ideas drive our future. Every team member takes ownership of their work and is encouraged to contribute insights that help shape our company’s direction. By drawing inspiration from industry peers, associations, and innovative organizations, we ensure that our platform evolves to meet the needs of our customers and the larger community.

A Living Framework

Our values and governance principles are designed to evolve with us, serving as a framework for decision-making and guiding how we operate in partnership with associations. As we grow, we continue to refine these principles based on our experiences and the feedback of our team and customers.

2. Guiding Principles

At Novi AMS, our guiding principles keep us focused on our mission to empower associations by transforming how an AMS should work: 

Creating Positive Change

We believe in helping associations drive impactful change, and we design our software to reimagine how an AMS can support their missions effectively.

Looking Forward, Not Backward

Our aim is not to recreate past business practices but to foster innovative solutions that align with the evolving needs of associations.

Inspired by Association Needs

We draw inspiration from direct conversations with association staff and their members, not from other AMS platforms. This focus ensures that our developments are uniquely tailored to the association world.

Collective Benefit

Every enhancement we make is designed to benefit all our association partners, ensuring that each improvement supports the broader community. 

Prioritizing Core Functionality

Bugs or issues affecting core operations of any association are prioritized above all other work, as we recognize the critical role of reliability in association management.

Quality Over Quantity

We focus on doing fewer things exceptionally well rather than trying to cover everything with a marginal approach, ensuring a strong foundation for our users. 

A Strong Voice for Associations

Our association partners have an influential, collective voice in shaping our software’s strategic direction, enabling us to stay aligned with their goals and needs. 

3. Our Leadership Team

 At the helm of Novi AMS is a group of experienced and passionate leaders dedicated to empowering associations and driving meaningful change. Our leadership team combines deep industry knowledge with a forward-thinking approach, ensuring that our mission and values are reflected in every decision. 

CEO
Pete Zimek, CAE

• Background: Pete founded Novi AMS with a vision to transform the technical landscape for associations. With dual degrees from the University of Florida, Pete earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) in 2020 and is a QuickBooks Advanced Certified Pro Advisor.
• Expertise: Known for his insights into association technical ecosystems and digital security, Pete is a sought-after speaker at industry events.

Chief Technical Advisor
Geoff Wilson

• Background: Geoff brings a wealth of experience in high-end custom software development. As the founder and former CEO of Three Five Two, a digital agency specializing in tailored software solutions, Geoff led the company until its successful acquisition in 2024.
• Role: Known for his strategic insight, Geoff has advised or invested in nearly a dozen software companies, and he currently serves as a mentor at Atlanta Tech Village. His guidance helps shape Novi's technical direction, ensuring our platform’s security, scalability, and resilience in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

 

Vice President of Customer Growth
Jennifer Norman, CAE

• Background: A founding team member, Jennifer has been with Novi AMS since before the first line of code was written. In 2020, she achieved her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, reflecting her deep dedication to the association industry and her expertise in association management.
• Experience: Jennifer leads Novi’s GROW team and organizes the annual Novi Summit, demonstrating her commitment to enhancing customer engagement and success. Her prior experience includes work as an account manager at a boutique marketing agency, where she led projects with both national and international reach, and her role with a local ABC affiliate, where she managed various elements of their digital presence.

 

Vice President of Product and Engineering
Pete Bernardo

• Background: With two decades of software development experience, Pete has played pivotal roles in nonprofits, startups, and large enterprises. As a graduate of Atlanta's "Tech Stars" program and a former entrepreneur-in-residence, he blends technical and strategic vision.
• Achievements: Pete founded PunchList, a collaborative platform that gave him rich experience in data privacy and security—a foundation he brings to overseeing Novi’s product and engineering divisions.

 

Vice President of Customer Experience
Mike Pennington, CAE

• Background: Mike brings over 25 years of expertise in nonprofit management and has served as CEO for five different associations, giving him unique insight into the challenges and needs of membership organizations.
• Achievements: As a past chair of the Georgia Society of Association Executives and a two-time recipient of the Chair’s Award, as well as the prestigious Alan R. Johnson Leadership Award, Mike’s leadership is widely recognized. His work includes roles as an on-staff executive director and with one of the world's largest association management companies, which informs his deep commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience at Novi.