Our Team
Michael Novak
Partner
Michael’s recruiting journey began in 1998 with a small firm, where he cut his teeth in Aerospace & Defense recruiting. During the dot-com bubble, he was recruited by a client for an in-house Talent Acquisition role at an Aerospace startup. This experience ultimately led him to launch AIJ Search in 2001.
In the early years of AIJ Search, Michael focused on clients designing and developing complex in-aircraft systems, including actuation, hydraulics, flight controls, landing gears, cargo handling systems, and in-flight refueling and aerial deployment/recovery systems. He also deeply supported Aircraft MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) and Distribution companies. Reflecting on this period, Michael says, “Following in my grandfather’s footsteps, I was excited from a young age to work on aircraft platforms and programs that supported the defense of our country.”
By the mid-2000s, Michael’s focus shifted heavily towards advanced materials and composites, primarily for components and structures in commercial and military aircraft and other airborne military platforms. “Within Aerospace at this time, there was a strong continued shift towards advanced materials. I was very excited to be involved with materials and products that would positively impact the environment by reducing fuel consumption.”
As advanced non-metallic materials became more readily available and utilized in commercial sectors, Michael’s work steadily expanded to include clients in other highly regulated industries. “As passionate as I am about Aerospace & Defense, it’s been a pleasure over the past decade to expand our firm’s focus into other markets shaping our world. The applications for advanced materials within the Life Sciences and Semiconductor markets particularly interested me. Products that help save lives and drive technology and communication forward… sign me up! Today, I’m most excited to have a hand in developing Clean Tech, such as green hydrogen and battery technology. I want my firm’s work to impact global decarbonization positively.”
Michael acts as the primary point of contact for AIJ Search clients. “My goal with each client is to deliver an exceptional experience and to be viewed as our client’s trusted go-to partner. We strive to achieve this through transparent communication, strong project management, and collaborative teamwork.”
Carin Carstens
Recruiting Manager
Carin brings over 20 years of expertise in human resources and talent acquisition, specializing in identifying and securing top talent for a highly technical and rapidly evolving workforce. She has successfully led hundreds of searches, spanning roles from Engineers and Scientists to VP of Sales and C-suite executives. Carin is pivotal in designing and managing candidate engagement and screening processes, ensuring that every hire aligns perfectly with client needs.
Carin worked at several Wisconsin manufacturing facilities in high school and college, gaining hands-on experience on the plant floor. Her time in these tough manufacturing environments, including plastic injection molding and paper manufacturing, ignited a passion for supporting those dedicated to improving our materials, products, and environment.
Her journey in recruitment began early, stepping into the Director of Human Resources role before her 25th birthday. While many recruiters sought to transition into HR, Carin seized the opportunity to explore talent acquisition, including a role at a Top 5 Executive Retained Search firm. Notably, within a Fortune 100 company, she led the talent acquisition strategy to grow a joint venture startup from 10 to over 125 employees in just two years. “This was my first experience recruiting PhDs, and we were targeting a degree that only 3 schools in the US offered at the time. Even with all the resources available to me working for the industry leader in this technology, I learned to be creative and tenacious to compete for the top talent in a hot industry.”
Carin’s technical insights allowed her to transition into independent recruitment, where she expanded her expertise to include Program Management, Sales, and Strategy leadership. This diversification enabled her to offer clients a broader range of talent solutions, helping them grow their businesses.
In 2020, Carin joined AIJ Search to spearhead candidate recruitment and engagement. As Recruiting Manager, she manages all candidate interactions and screening processes. Her experience in a Lean Six Sigma environment informs every process improvement and client recommendation she makes, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in hiring.
“I can do anything in 18 days.” Carin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and Ethnic Relations from Cornell College in Iowa, where she chose the One Course at a Time program for its intensity and real-world applicability. This unique approach to learning mirrors how professionals manage their time and projects, equipping her to understand her clients’ needs and swiftly deliver unmatched results.
Carin’s curiosity extends beyond the office. “Even when scuba diving, I’ll most likely look at something, wonder who made it, why it’s important, who can improve it, and how I can help them.” Her deep technical knowledge and commitment to her clients have earned her recognition as a recruiter who understands the challenges of designing and manufacturing solutions for the toughest environments.
Madison Uffelman
Research Manager
Madison’s recruiting journey began in 2009 when AIJ Search recruited her to source candidates. Having spent two decades in sales management, her experience building sales teams made it a natural fit.
With each new assignment, Madison researches the client’s company, technical requirements, competitors, team dynamics, work environment, and skills required to build a roadmap for sourcing. While sourcing, she assesses whether the candidate’s work history aligns with the client’s company mission and culture. A priority is finding candidates with a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and proactive approach, qualities critical to a successful hire.
“As a Marine Corps veteran, I understand the importance of teamwork in accomplishing a common goal. I am confident the AIJ Search team will duplicate the diligent effort I put into sourcing candidates as they progress through our system. The result will be a candidate excited to embark on a new career chapter and a client confident we found the best”.