Secretary of Commerce David Adams will leave his role June 30 to become senior advisor to the governor on his $1 billion economic development initiative, a new position for which Adams will be paid $90,000.
He’ll serve in the new role until the end of the year, the governor’s office said in a press release. Gaylor Electric CEO Chuck Goodrich, who unsuccessfully ran against U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz in the 5th Congressional District primary, will take Adams’ spot as commerce secretary, the Indianapolis Business Journal reported. The governor’s office did not answer an IndyStar questions asking why Adams was transitioning to a new position, or confirming his replacement.
The announcement marks the second time the Braun administration has created an advisory position for an outgoing member of his cabinet after Department of Child Services Director Adam Krupp became a special advisor to Braun on child welfare issues. That role came after Krupp was on a months-long leave of absence for medical issues.
The $1 billion initiative Adams will advise for aims to create 100,000 jobs in agriculture and life sciences over the next decade.
While it’s unclear why Adams is departing the role, it appears he was performing well: in March 2026, the commerce secretary was awarded a $75,000 performance bonus, according to records obtained by IndyStar, the highest bonus of any state employee issued between January and April 26. Adams’ salary was $257,000 in 2025. The only other performance-based bonus was for Richard Michal, executive vice president for land development strategy at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, who received $20,000.
In a news release, the governor commended Adams for laying “the foundation for Indiana’s next generation of economic opportunity.”
Before Braun tapped Adams to lead the state’s economic agenda in January 2025, Adams served as commissioner of the Department of Workforce Development under former Gov. Eric Holcomb. The secretary of commerce oversees a host of agencies, including the DWD and the IEDC.
“The opportunity to serve Indiana across three administrations has been one of the greatest honors of my career.,” Adams said in the news release. “I am proud of what we accomplished together and am grateful to Governor Braun for the opportunity to help complete the next phase of the $1 billion Life Sciences Initiative. My focus over the coming months will be helping to ensure the initiative is positioned for long-term success.”
Contact breaking politics reporter Marissa Meador at mmeador@indystar.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana secretary of commerce to leave role, serve as senior advisor to Gov. Braun
Reporting by Marissa Meador, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Marissa Meador, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
