U.S. Department of Commerce Congratulates Dr. Steven Dillingham, White House Pick to Lead the U.S. Census Bureau



Secretary of Commerce Builds Permanent Census Bureau Leadership Team


July 23, 2018


On July 18, 2018 the following information was published by the U.S. Department of Commerce:

Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross congratulated Dr. Steven Dillingham after the White House announced their intent to nominate him to be Director of the U.S. Census Bureau. Dr. Dillingham currently serves as the Director of the Office of Strategic Information, Research, and Planning for the Peace Corps. Secretary Ross also announced that Dr. Ron Jarmin will be named Deputy Director of the Census Bureau. He will continue performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Director of the Census Bureau pending Dr. Dillingham’s confirmation. Dr. Enrique Lamas will continue performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Deputy Director of the Census Bureau.

“Congratulations to Dr. Dillingham – an excellent choice to lead the Census Bureau,” said Secretary Ross. “With his wealth of experience, the Bureau will be well positioned to ensure a complete and accurate 2020 census.”

“I am honored to be nominated as Director of the Census Bureau,” said Dr. Dillingham. “I look forward to working with all of my future colleagues as we prepare for the decennial census and ensure timely and accurate data are delivered to the American people.”

Dr. Dillingham has more than 25 years of statistical, research, senior management, and legal experience in the Federal government. He previously served as Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Both agencies support national surveys in partnership with the Census Bureau. Dr. Dillingham earned his B.A. at Winthrop University, received his J.D., M.P.A., and Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina, and completed his M.B.A. at George Washington University and LL.M. at Georgetown University.

“I am thankful to Secretary Ross and all my colleagues for their hard work and dedication to the Census Bureau’s mission,” said Dr. Jarmin. “I am also excited about the nomination of Dr. Steven Dillingham to lead the Census Bureau. Dr. Dillingham clearly has the experience and track record needed to successfully lead the nation’s premier provider of quality data about its people and economy. I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Ross and the entire Census team.”

Dr. Jarmin is in his third decade at the Census Bureau, which he joined in 1992. He has served as the Associate Director for Economic Programs at the Bureau, leading the 2017 Economic Census, which provides the foundation for key measures of economic performance including the nation’s gross domestic product.

“I wish to thank Secretary Ross for the opportunity to perform the duties of the Deputy Director of the Census Bureau,” said Dr. Lamas. “I have been employed at the Census Bureau since 1980, and I very much look forward to continuing my work with Director nominee Dr. Steven Dillingham, Dr. Ron Jarmin, and the dedicated staff at the Bureau.”

Dr. Lamas began his career at the Census Bureau in 1980, working on income and poverty statistics projects in the Population Division. Performing a variety of roles throughout his time at the Bureau, Dr. Lamas has previously served as Associate Director for Demographic Programs, Chief of the Population Division, Assistant Division Chief in the Demographic Surveys Division, Chief of the Poverty and Wealth Statistics Branch, and Chief of the Labor Force and Transfer Programs Statistics Branch.