Nancy Potok Named Chief Statistician of the United States
Nancy Potok, formerly deputy director and chief operating officer of the U.S. Census Bureau, has been appointed chief statistician of the United States. Located within the Office of Management and Budget, Potok’s new position is responsible
for providing coordination, guidance, and oversight for U.S. federal statistical agencies and activities. This marks the first time in 24 years that the position has been vacant after most recently being occupied by Katherine Wallman, who
retired.
The ASA extended congratulatory greetings in a letter to Potok, vowing to support her efforts and work together to expand the country’s federal statistical system.
A former member of the ASA, Potok is an elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. Her government service also includes stints as deputy undersecretary for economic affairs in the Department of Commerce; the Census Bureau's associate
director for demographic programs; and the principal associate director and chief financial officer in charge of field operations, information technology, and administration during the 2000 Census. Her career of more than 30 years also includes time
spent as senior vice president and director of the economic, labor, and population studies department at The University of Chicago’s famed National Opinion Research Center.