Holcomb names new DWD commissioner

Governor Eric Holcomb has selected David Adams as the new commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Adams succeeds Fred Payne, who stepped down in July to become the CEO of United Way of Central Indiana.

Adams has spent the past five years as chief innovation officer for the University of Cincinnati. In the role, he led the Cincinnati Innovation District, which Holcomb’s office says connects the university with companies with a focus on growing, attracting and retaining talent.

The innovation district was a key part in securing Intel Corp.’s $20 billion plan to build two semiconductor chip plants in Ohio, according to the governor’s office.

“David Adams has spent decades focusing on the connections between workforce talent and the needs of today’s industries, and he leads with a tremendous energy that brings results, time and time again,” Holcomb said in written remarks. “I’m excited David is returning to Indiana and the impact he will make in helping our Department of Workforce Development to skill up our workforce to be second-to-none and prepared for the next phase of our economic growth.”

Adams is also no stranger to Indiana. He previously served as executive director of the Indiana Public Retirement System from 2005 to 2007. He was also a founding member of the Enlace Academy in Indianapolis and remains a member of the Purdue Research Foundation Board of Directors.

“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 said. “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 will begin his new role September 19.