The Census Project joins the census stakeholder community in mourning the passing of former Census Bureau Director John Thompson. John was the Director of the U.S. Census Bureau from 2013 to 2017. He worked at the U.S. Census Bureau for 27 years and also served as President of NORC at University of Chicago. In 2017, he was tapped to serve as the Executive Director of the Council of Professional Associations for Federal Statistics.
In retirement, John remained actively engaged with the federal statistical community, including serving on The Census Project Advisory Committee. John was incredibly generous with his time, serving as a speaker at frequent webinars, attending meetings with congressional staff and Administration officials, and offering his assistance whenever it was requested.
In a May 13 message to Census Bureau employees, Acting Census Bureau Director Ron Jarmin said, “It is hard to convey John’s impact and contributions during his storied career. At his 2013 Senate confirmation hearing, he said, “My goal will be to leave a legacy of innovation in all areas and in all levels of the Census Bureau, and to design a 2020 Census that represents a fundamental change for the future.” That statement perfectly encapsulates his commitment to innovation and modernization.”
In a tribute posted by NORC, Dan Gaylin, President and CEO of NORC said, “It would be hard to overstate John’s influence on NORC and its people. After a period of rapid growth and dynamic change in the early part of the century, NORC was in a position to re-establish itself as one of the leading research organizations in the world. John’s confident, empowering, values-driven leadership enabled the people of NORC to see that future and make it a reality. He will be deeply missed.”
