Vincent Barabba | |
---|---|
14th Director of the United States Census Bureau | |
In office 1973–1976 | |
President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford |
Preceded by | George Hay Brown |
Succeeded by | Manuel D. Plotkin |
In office 1979–1981 (Acting) | |
President | Jimmy Carter |
Preceded by | Manuel D. Plotkin |
Succeeded by | Bruce Chapman |
Personal details | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois | September 6, 1934
Education | California State University, Northridge University of California, Los Angeles |
Vincent Barabba (born September 6, 1934) is an American market researcher, author, former head of the United States Census Bureau, and the chairman and co-founder of Market Insight Corporation. He is known for his work in the field of market research and opinion polling.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Barabba was awarded a bachelor's degree in marketing in 1962 from California State University, Northridge and, in 1964, an MBA in marketing from the University of California, Los Angeles.[1] He was also awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws in 2012 by California State University, Northridge.[2]
Beginning as political campaign survey researcher in the 1964 California Republican primary between Nelson Rockefeller and Barry Goldwater, Barabba moved on to become a business market researcher (eventually Director of Market Intelligence) for Xerox Corp. and Eastman Kodak. He co-founded and was chairman of Market Insight Corporation,[3] Until 2003 he was General Manager of Corporate Strategy and Knowledge Development at General Motors, where he conceived and devised OnStar and MyProductAdvisor.
He is a Past President of the American Statistical Association, and served twice as head of the US Census Bureau (the only to be appointed by a President of a different political party)[2][4] and currently serves as a Commissioner of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.[5] He is chairman of The State of The USA, a nonprofit corporation providing quality information to the American public on societal, economic, and environmental conditions.[6]
In recognition of his private and public sector performance, Barabba was awarded:
Barabba has authored or co-authored numerous books and articles, including: