Points of Pride

David J. Fornari

David FornariDavid J. Fornari

David (Dave) Fornari is an executive with over 35 years of business experience in management consulting and hands-on corporate management.

Dave has successfully led and grew profitable businesses and consulting practices providing high quality and innovative services to strategic clients. Dave retired from Deloitte after 31 years, 22 years as an Energy Consulting partner with 10 years as the Global or US Energy & Resources Consulting Leader. As a Deloitte Eminence Fellow, Dave was a frequent speaker and author on energy and resources strategy and management.

On May 21st 2020, Dave was the recipient of the Rotary Club of Cleveland's Business and Technology Leadership Award. (program book)

An alumnus twice over, Dave earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 1976 and his Master of Business Administration in 1980 from Cleveland State University. In addition to serving as an Executive in Residence at the Monte Ahuja College of Business, Dave chairs the Advisory Board for the Weston Ideation Lab, home to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Cleveland State. He is a past chair and member of the College's Visiting Committee.

An avid supporter of education, Dave established the Fornari Family Scholarship fund, served as a mentor at Startup Vikes, supported TEDxClevelandStateUniversity, volunteers his time and talents in the College's Centers for Outreach and Engagement and contributes to the university in numerous ways. Dave has been the chair and a member of the College's Visiting Committee and a Fellow for the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.

Dave was inducted into the Monte Ahuja College of Business Alumni Hall of Fame in November of 2023. Learn more about the Hall of Fame here.

In Fall of 2016, Dave earned the Distinguished Alumni Award for the College of Business. View his video from the event discussing his relationship with Cleveland State University.