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June 12, 2026 — The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the appointments of Michael Lachanski as deputy director for Data, Policy, and Science and John Studds as deputy director for Administration and Operations. These appointments come at a pivotal moment for the Census Bureau, as both operational innovation and data science are accelerating rapidly. Their leadership will strengthen the Census Bureau’s capacity to deliver accurate, timely, cutting-edge data products.
Dr. Lachanski currently serves as senior advisor in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, where he leads two major Census Bureau modernization initiatives: broadening the agency’s administrative records database and lowering barriers to the adoption of artificial intelligence across the federal statistical system. A demographer by training, he holds a joint doctorate in demography and sociology from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in statistics and data science from the Wharton School, and a bachelor’s degree in economics (summa cum laude) and a master’s degree in public administration (with distinction) from Princeton University. Dr. Lachanski is committed to strengthening the federal statistical enterprise to ensure the Census Bureau delivers accurate, relevant, comprehensive and timely data for the nation.
John Studds serves as the Census Bureau’s chief information officer and has more than 30 years of executive experience driving digital transformation and aligning enterprise technology strategies with mission critical objectives. His leadership has shaped some of the Census Bureau’s most consequential modernization that’s underway, including the expansion of enterprise Internet data collection. He has overseen major statistical programs such as the Consolidated Federal Funds Report and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse and has spearheaded development of innovative data management platforms, including Data Ingest and Collection for the Enterprise and Enterprise Data Lake. His career demonstrates a consistent ability to conceptualize, develop and deliver complex data services to policymakers, researchers and businesses alike.
At this important and exciting time for our country, Michael and John bring formidable vision and expertise for transformative modernization in the Census Bureau's information technology infrastructure, data collection operations and analytical processes. They will be pivotal in answering Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's call for an accurate, informative and trustworthy lineup of statistical products for the American people.
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