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Michael Novakovic was born in Split, Croatia, his home until World War II forced his family to flee to Italy.
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After the war, the Novakovics migrated to Argentina and then to New York City where Mike finished high school before enrolling at Syracuse University.
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He entered the U.S. Air Force, served in its intelligence operations, and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
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After retiring from the military in 1978, Mike started his own company, Metallic Ceramic Coatings, Inc., a successful business that he ran until his retirement in 2007.
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He lives with his wife, Phebe, in Villanova, Pennsylvania.