Former FHFA Director Dr. Mark Calabria Named Chief U.S. Statistician

Dr. Mark Calabria, a veteran of economic policy and former Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), has been appointed Chief Statistician of the United States by Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought. He succeeds Karin Orvis in leading the OMB’s Statistical and Science Policy Branch.

In his new role, Dr. Calabria will oversee coordination across the nation’s 16 Recognized Statistical Agencies (RSAUs), helping to ensure statistical independence, integrity, and public confidence in federal data. His responsibilities include implementing the principles outlined in the OMB’s recent Public Trust Rule, which emphasizes the importance of credibility, confidentiality, and objectivity in federal statistical operations.

A Trusted Voice in Federal Policy and Data

Dr. Calabria brings decades of experience in public service and policy. As FHFA Director, he guided the housing regulator’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, emphasizing market stability and taxpayer protection while resisting calls for industry bailouts. He also established key divisions within the FHFA to strengthen oversight and policy development, including new offices for research and resolution planning.

Prior to his leadership at the FHFA, Calabria served as Chief Economist to the Vice President under the Trump Administration, and previously worked on Capitol Hill as a senior staffer to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee. His earlier experience includes regulatory roles at HUD and advisory positions with think tanks such as the Cato Institute, where he most recently served as a Senior Advisor.

Upholding Data Integrity Across Federal Agencies

Calabria’s appointment comes at a time when the federal government is reinforcing its commitment to evidence-based policymaking. The Chief Statistician plays a vital role in that mission—especially following the passage of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act in 2019. This law, along with the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act (CIPSEA), established new mandates for federal statistical agencies to promote data accuracy, transparency, and public trust.

As outlined in the OMB’s Trust Rule, statistical agencies must deliver data that is timely, accurate, and objective while safeguarding the privacy of individual respondents and upholding the exclusive use of data for statistical purposes.

A Record of Results and Resilience

In 2023, Calabria published Shelter From the Storm: How A COVID Mortgage Meltdown Was Averted, which chronicles his leadership at the FHFA during one of the nation’s most uncertain economic periods. The book outlines how the agency ensured housing market stability without relying on taxpayer bailouts, offering insight into Calabria’s fiscal approach and governance style.

With this latest appointment, Dr. Calabria is expected to bring the same steady hand and data-driven focus to the nation’s statistical infrastructure, ensuring that federal data continues to serve as a reliable foundation for decision-making in both the public and private sectors.

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