David J. Adams was announced recently as the new commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD). He begins his tenure on September 19 and replaces Fred Payne, who stepped down to become president and CEO of the United Way of Central Indiana.
Adams was executive director of the Indiana Public Retirement System from 2005 to 2007. Since 2017, he has served as the chief innovation officer at the University of Cincinnati, where he is the leader of the Cincinnati Innovation District, which 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 investments, 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 a founding member of the Enlace Academy in Indianapolis and is a member of the board of directors of the Purdue Research Foundation. He’s also a board member of REDI Cincinnati, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber and CincyTech.
“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to connect and convene Indiana’s talent pool with the resources the state has built to skill-up workers, matching them with the best in-demand careers that they are suited for,” Adams says. “With our partners across the state, we will empower Hoosiers to be trained for the economy of today, and ready for the economy Gov. Holcomb is building.”
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.
We enjoy a strong working relationship with DWD and are excited to continue efforts with Commissioner Adams to bridge the obvious needs of employers and individuals to fill the many open positions in the state and build career pathways.
Jason Bearce is vice president of education & workforce development for the Indiana Chamber. He has been with the organization since 2018 and previously held senior leadership positions at the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana Department of Education.
