Census Bureau Director, John H. Thompson, retired from his position on Tuesday, May 9, leaving the bureau less than four years into the first of two potential five-year terms.
Thompson’s career was notable, beginning with the Census Bureau in 1975 and staying until 2002. During that time, Thompson served as the chief of the decennial management division and the associate director, the senior-most position responsible for aspects of the 2000 Census.
From 2002 to 2013, Thompson held the titles of executive vice president and then the CEO of the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago. While there, he was also a member of the Committee on National Statistics Panel on the design of the Census Program of Evaluations and Experiments and the Panel to Review for the 2010 Census.
He rejoined the Census Bureau in 2013, when he was sworn in as the bureau’s 24th director.
“My tenure at the Census Bureau has been a richly rewarding capstone to my federal career,” Director Thompson said. “As I pursue opportunities in the private sector, please be assured that I will continue to be supportive of the administration’s priority to have a complete and accurate 2020 Census.”
Legislation enacted in 2011 set the directorship at a five-year term, with a maximum of two terms.
Census Bureau director retires mid term
