Our Team
Our Team
James Novakovich
James Novakovich
Co-Founder & Wealth Advisor
Co-Founder & Wealth Advisor
James Novakovich brings nearly 25 years of hands-on experience in wealth management, financial planning, and investment strategy to his role as Co-Founder of Nova Wealth Management. But it’s his journey—and how it transformed his outlook on client relationships—that truly defines his approach.
Starting his career in institutional banking, James quickly built one of the top-performing advisory teams in Florida at Fifth Third Securities. But after navigating clients through the turbulence of the 2008 financial crisis, James recognized a troubling disconnect: large firms were more focused on selling products and chasing new business than protecting clients’ long-term well-being.
That experience became the catalyst for Nova Wealth Management. In 2011, James and his wife, Amy, launched Nova to offer something fundamentally different—a client-first, boutique firm with in-house asset management, a deep fiduciary commitment, and an environment where every client and their family is known personally. Rather than fitting clients into cookie-cutter portfolios or outsourcing planning to anonymous third-party managers, Nova’s team builds customized strategies in-house—thoughtfully integrating tax mitigation, risk management, and transparent communication.
James’s approach is shaped by both decades in finance and real-world life experience. After surviving a major health event in 2023, he brings new appreciation for risk prevention, thoughtful legacy planning, and ensuring families are protected—values that guide every client meeting. Clients and colleagues alike cite his candor, caring practical advice, and unpretentious communication style. James views wealth management as a lifelong partnership—helping clients plan not just for market returns, but for their family’s future, evolving goals, and peace of mind.
Outside the office, James enjoys family time in Bonita Springs with Amy and their five children, rooting for his beloved Cleveland sports teams, exploring music, and—even if he claims otherwise—finding new ways to have fun with his kids.
Disclosures:
Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment strategies involve risks, and individual situations vary. Nova Wealth Management operates as a fiduciary in clients’ best interests; please review our ADV and disclosures for details.
Credentials & Recognition
Credentials & Recognition
Why Clients Choose James
Why Clients Choose James
Decades of Fiduciary Perspective
With nearly 25 years in wealth management, James transitioned from institutional banking to co-found Nova, creating an independent, fee-only firm where clients are never treated like a account number.
In-House Strategic Asset Management
Rather than outsourcing portfolios to anonymous third parties, James builds customized wealth strategies in-house, carefully blending tax mitigation, risk management, and market defense.
Real-World Risk & Legacy Planning
Shaped by both market cycles and personal life experiences, James brings an unpretentious, highly pragmatic approach to protecting family wealth, business exits, and multi-generational legacies.
insights from James at nova wealth management
insights from James at nova wealth management
Stay informed with the latest financial planning strategies, market updates, and retirement tips
Start the conversation
Start the conversation
No matter where you are on your financial journey, our team is here to help. Reach out today to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced advisors. We’d love to get to know you, understand your goals, and share how our team can help you achieve financial peace of mind.
Take the First Step
📁 Having a trust and funding a trust are two different things.
You can sign the documents…
Put them safely in a binder…
And still have work left to do.
Depending on your estate plan, you may need to coordinate:
🏠 Real estate
🏦 Bank accounts
📈 Brokerage accounts
💼 Business interests
📋 Beneficiaries
🖼️ Personal property
And as your financial life changes, your estate plan may need another look.
A trust is a plan. Funding helps put that plan into action.
Our newest blog explains what families should know.
🔗 Link in bio.
#LivingTrust #EstatePlanning #TrustFunding #LegacyPlanning #FinancialPlanning #WealthManagement #SouthwestFlorida #NovaWealthManagement
Oct 2
🌴 Dreaming about retiring in Florida?
Before choosing the destination, think about the life you want to live there.
🏖️ Beach or inland?
🏡 Condo or single-family home?
⛳ Golf or boating?
🍽️ Quiet community or lots to do?
🏥 How close do you want to be to healthcare?
💰 And what will your preferred lifestyle actually cost?
From Naples and Bonita Springs to Estero, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Marco Island, Southwest Florida offers plenty of options—but they aren`t all financially or practically the same.
Retirement planning isn`t only about accumulating enough.
It`s about building a plan for how and where you want to live.
🔗 Read the full blog through the link in our bio.
#RetireInFlorida #FloridaRetirement #SouthwestFlorida #RetirementLifestyle #RetirementPlanning #NaplesFlorida #BonitaSprings #FinancialPlanning #NovaWealthManagement
Oct 1
❤️ Already planning to give to charity?
You may want to think about how you give, too.
For eligible IRA owners age 70½+, a Qualified Charitable Distribution may allow money to go directly from an IRA to an eligible charity. A qualifying QCD can also count toward an RMD when one is required.
That creates an interesting intersection between:
❤️ Charitable giving
💰 Retirement accounts
📆 RMDs
🧾 Tax planning
🌱 Legacy planning
Your generosity may also be part of your retirement tax strategy.
🔗 Read more through the link in our bio.
#CharitableGiving #QCD #RMD #Retirement #TaxPlanning #IRA #LegacyPlanning #FinancialPlanning #NovaWealthManagement
Sep 30
sign up for our newsletter
sign up for our newsletter
Receive timely updates on investment strategies, tax planning tips, and retirement guidance from our team of wealth management professionals. Subscribe today to stay ahead.