David J. Adams serves as the Commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development. He returns to work for the State of Indiana where he was Executive Director of the Indiana Public Retirement System from 2005 to 2007 under Governor Mitch Daniels.
Most recently, Mr. Adams was the first Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Cincinnati and the architect of the Cincinnati Innovation District. The district connects the economic engine of the university to global, mid-sized and small companies with a focus on growing, attracting, and retaining talent. The innovation district became the model for the state of Ohio and was instrumental in securing the recent $20 billion Intel investment, including the development of the future workforce.
Adams has deep experience in industry, higher education, and public service. In addition to his efforts at the University of Cincinnati, he was Chief Administrative Officer at the University of Louisville and served as the CEO of the Institute of Product Realization. He was also a founding member of the leadership team that rapidly grew a software firm that established the supply chain marketplace.
He was a founding member of the Enlace Academy in Indianapolis and is a member of the board of directors of the Purdue Research Foundation. He has also served on numerous private and not-for-profit boards. Adams is a graduate of the Speed Scientific School of Engineering at the University of Louisville and has a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in industrial engineering.