Senate confirms U. of Chicago NORC CEO John Thompson new Census Bureau chief

WASHINGTON–The Senate confirmed NORC at the University of Chicago CEO John Thompson to be the new Census Bureau director on Thursday.

Thompson is a West Loop resident.

The Census Bureau is part of the Commerce Department and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said in a statement on Friday, “I congratulate John Thompson on his confirmation as director of the U.S. Census Bureau, and thank the U.S. Senate for confirming him quickly. Given his previous roles at the Census Bureau beginning in the 1970s, I have full confidence that Mr. Thompson will be a tremendous leader of one of the nation’s premier statistical agencies.

“The Census Bureau produces a wealth of data that are critical to America’s public and private sector leaders as they make decisions about economic development that will create jobs. I am committed to ensuring that the Census Bureau has the resources it needs to continue supplying essential data to businesses and government leaders. I look forward to working with John Thompson and his team as they undertake the years of preparations required for a successful 2020 Census and continue to develop innovative ways to produce and distribute vital information.”

Thompson said in statement, “”It’s a tremendous honor and privilege to return to public service as the Director of the Census Bureau, one of the most important organizations in the federal statistical system, as well as a place that holds warm memories for me,” said Thompson. “As America forges its data-driven future, the Census Bureau must lead the way by tracking emerging trends, developing more efficient processes and embracing new technologies for planning and executing the 2020 Census and its other surveys that are so important to the nation. As Director, I will use all of my skills, intellect and experience to foster a culture of innovation and adaptability that allows the Census Bureau to serve the public’s needs and meet the challenges of this dynamic new environment.”

Bio below from NORC at the University of Chicago:

John Thompson is the President and Chief Executive Officer of NORC. As President, he has responsibility for all NORC corporate activities and for the quality of all NORC research efforts. Thompson’s vision for NORC is to establish the organization as a leader in the social science

research industry. He works to realize this vision by strengthening the organization’s high-quality, diverse staff and by broadening the scope of the collaborations between NORC and the University of Chicago.

Thompson also provides leadership in the social science research community. An elected Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), Thompson is Chair of the Social Statistics Section of the ASA and he chaired the 2009 ASA Committee on Fellows. He has been elected to serve a three-year term as a member of the Committee on National Statistics at the National Academies of Science. He participated as a member of the Panel on the Design of the 2010 Census Program of Evaluations and Experiments and currently serves on the Panel to Review the 2010 Census, both sponsored by the Committee on National Statistics.

Before coming to NORC, Thompson had a distinguished career at the U.S. Census Bureau, including serving as the senior career officer responsible for all aspects of the 2000 Decennial Census.