 This pilot clinical trial studies how well ganetespib works before surgery in treating patients with stage I-IVA squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck that can be removed by surgery. Ganetespib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Studying samples of blood and tissue in the laboratory from patients receiving ganetespib may help doctors learn more about the effects of ganetespib on cells. It may also help doctors understand how well patients respond to treatment. 