Name David Novak | Role Businessman | |
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Books The Education of an Accidental CEO: Lessons Learned from the Trailer Park to the Corner Office Similar People Greg Creed, Scott Bergren, David Dorman, Aylwin B Lewis, Emil Brolick |
Speaker Series: David C. Novak
David Colin Novak (born 1953) is an American businessman. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of YUM! Brands Inc.
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Background

He received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri. He served as an Account Supervisor on Frito-Lay products (Doritos and Tostitos) for Tracy-Locke Advertising in Dallas, TX before becoming the VP of all F-L products at the agency. Novak is a Christian and has been a member of Southeast Christian church.
Career
Novak served as Yum! Brand's Chief Executive Officer from 1999 - Jan. 1, 2015. He served as Chief Operating Officer of Pepsi-Cola North America, and Executive Vice President of Marketing and National Sales for the Pepsi-Cola Company.
He has been an Independent Director of JPMorgan Chase & Co. since 2001. He also serves as a Director of Bank One Corporation. He was named 2012 Chief Executive of the Year by Chief Executive magazine.
Novak is credited with the invention of Crystal Pepsi.