David J. Akers is an innovator with a passion for identifying opportunities for business and civic growth, then developing and implementing strategies to capitalize on those opportunities.  In his career, David has created and launched more than a dozen initiatives in the business, civic, and government sectors.  He is the author or co-author of three issued patents and co-author of two additional pending patents.

In 2004, David chose to tackle the challenge of government fragmentation and inefficiency in Northeast Ohio.  He formed Collaborent Group, Ltd., a company that develops and markets group purchasing programs to public sector entities.  He led the creation of Sourcing Office, a government and 501(c)(3) organization that serves as a buying consortium for public sector entities.  Collaborent manages the procurement and sales operations of Sourcing Office, a living public-private partnership; Collaborent is now extending its group purchasing programs and shared service models to groups of governments, not-for-profits, and private companies across the country.

Prior to founding Collaborent and Sourcing Office, David partnered with a team of real estate professionals at CB Richard Ellis to define, market, and package a unique collection of strategic real estate services to private equity firms.

In early 2001, David was the co-founder and president of EagleCheck, Ltd., a technology-based security company working in both the government and commercial sectors.  In this role, he was responsible for the company’s operations, government and public relations strategy and implementation, alliances and overall direction.

In 2000, David created Lottery for Life™, a patented methodology and supporting technologies to dramatically improve the image and sales levels of state lotteries; developed the Advisor, a system and technology for the fashion industry to target market its wares to consumers; secured financing for and partnered in multiple urban parking lot and commercial properties; and worked in the local and national political sector as a campaign manager and Congressional staffer.

David serves as a coach and consultant for a broad range of clients, with particular expertise in political campaigns as well as business development, communication skills, and leadership development for professionals in both the business and civic sectors.

David is active civically at the local and national level.  He is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland’s Class of 2007 and a founding board and executive committee of the Cleveland Leadership Center.  David spearheaded the creation of Reach Cleveland, a first-in-the-nation online tool that connects civically-inclined individuals with opportunities for civic engagement tailored to their individual interests.  David co-founded and is the Chairman Emeritus of Cleveland Bridge Builders; he graduated from the Charter Class in 2000.  David is a member of the National Innovation Initiative of the Council on Competitiveness and served as a co-chair of the intellectual property subcommittee.  He continues to work in an advisory capacity to numerous innovative civic initiatives.

David holds a bachelor of science in marketing and finance from the University of Virginia’s McIntyre School of Commerce.  His work has earned numerous awards and recognitions from a variety of institutions, including the Social Enterprise Alliance’s 2008 award Venture America: Bold Leaders that are Changing the World.  He is married and has three children.