Adam M. Smith

Professional Summary

Adam is a seasoned data professional with over 14 years of experience spanning multiple data governance areas - focusing on data quality management, data privacy & security, metadata, accessibility, and architecture. He is known for combining technical expertise and business sense to drive successful organizational projects. At the U.S. Census Bureau, Adam built and led large-scale data operations, overseeing data lifecycle projects, building a data quality framework, modernizing data systems, managing cross-functional teams, and advancing data quality, privacy, and accessibility.

Core Competencies

• Data Strategy & Lifecycle Management: Expert in designing and leading complex data programs across their full lifecycle, including collection, processing, quality assurance, privacy compliance, and delivery.
• Technical & Analytical Expertise: Proficient in Python, SQL, R, and SAS, with experience developing automated quality review tools, ETL specifications, metadata systems, and detailed reports.
• Leadership & Team Development: Proven ability to build and manage high-performing teams, mentor analysts, resolve cross-functional conflicts, and foster a culture of stewardship, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Skilled in translating technical complexity into clear, actionable insights tailored to diverse audiences to support data users, guide strategic decisions, and advance accessibility through training, documentation, and outreach.

Work Experience

Data Program Manager (U.S. Census Bureau, August 2019 - June 2025)

Position Summary

• Create and lead a new work unit (the Survey of Income and Program Participation Coordination and Outreach Staff) to plan, monitor, and direct 13 annual data lifecycle projects for 4 large cross-functional teams (70 staff, $8M annually).
• Lead data governance for SIPP, including quality control, privacy compliance, and metadata management.
• Lead data strategy, architecture, and modeling for large-scale data modernization and transformation projects.
• Provide internal and external data users with comprehensive, accessible guidance and technical support.

Job Duties and Accomplishments

• Manage Program and Projects: Planned and directed 13 annual data lifecycle projects across four cross-functional teams (70 staff total), implementing SOPs, requirements, and schedules to deliver consistent, on-time, and high-quality data products. Chaired change-control review boards to evaluate and approve modifications. Engaged with stakeholders to maintain communication and determine data priorities and strategy. Created program cost estimates. Coordinated and prepared detailed responses for internal audits and national archiving. Developed and delivered training sessions and materials to program staff.
  • Implemented 12 new SOPs, requirements, and guidelines to facilitate and improve data operations.
  • Established 220-task schedule to correct persistent delays and bring data delivery to 100% on-time completion rate.
  • Delivered 12 program cost estimates and budget analyses.
  • Chaired over 25 change-control meetings.
  • Led audit preparation and responses for 3 internal reviews.
  • Developed 10 hours of staff training content to support onboarding and skill development.
• Manage Data: Established and enforced data quality requirements and standards. Identified, investigated, and resolved data issues. Developed tools, technical documentation, and guidance to improve data accessibility. Led data privacy, security, and stewardship practices aligned with federal and bureau standards. Managed extensive metadata libraries.
  • Established 13 new internal resources to facilitate data quality review, metadata management, and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Approved accurate implementation of privacy protections for 6 data releases.
• Manage People: Hired, coached, and managed performance for a team of four data analysts responsible for data privacy, metadata management, technical documentation, training, and customer service. Resolved conflicts among cross-functional program areas. Led internal and external customer service delivery.
  • Completed 17 staff performance evaluations and write-ups.
  • Recognized staff through 12 monetary awards and 5 non-cash awards.
• Improve and Innovate: Identified and implemented cross-team improvements for data management, quality, and analysis projects. Developed new and improved products and processes to meet data user needs. Led data architecture and data strategy for a major program redesign. Delivered presentations to internal and external groups to advance program objectives.
  • Designed and programmed a large-scale automated data-quality review system (4,500 columns); used by over 70 staff to detect issues and facilitate data-quality review.
  • Created 25-page data architecture and standards document for major program redesign.
  • Designed and developed 6 external resources to improve accessibility of public data products.
  • Overhauled program’s 184-page users’ guide technical documentation.
  • Overhauled 90% of program’s public website.
  • Ensured 621 external customer messages were addressed timely, courteously, and accurately.
  • Initiated and coordinated an 8-month research project on model-based imputation.

Senior Data Analyst (U.S. Census Bureau, October 2016 - August 2019)

Position Summary

• Lead a team of data analysts to ensure high-quality collection, processing, and publication of Labor Force data from the American Community Survey (ACS).
• Publish reports on national labor force trends and survey improvements.
• Support data users, media, and the public in understanding and using the data.

Job Duties and Accomplishments

• Coordinate Data Lifecycle Projects: Directed junior staff on 17 recurring data lifecycle and governance projects, including collection, processing, and products.
• Lead Data Quality Analysis & ETL Development: Served as lead data quality analyst and primary ETL specification writer, ensuring reliability and consistency across multiple years of data.
  • Led data quality analysis and ETL specification writing for 3 multi-year American Community Survey (ACS) Labor Force data collection and publishing cycles
  • Team Lead and Lead Technical Specification Writer for Labor Force data in the 2020 Census of Island Areas
• Publish Reports & Data Products: Led the creation of annual data products and authored analytical reports for public release.
  • Lead analyst and author for the 2016 ACS “Weeks Worked” Content Test quantitative report, enhancing the reliability and clarity of key labor force metrics
• Support Stakeholders & Data Customers: Responded to internal and external data requests, translating complex technical issues into clear explanations and guidance for researchers, media, and the public.
  • Facilitated a data-sharing agreement with the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics program, improving inter-agency collaboration and data utility.
  • Addressed over 50 labor-force-related media and public inquiries.

Data Analyst (U.S. Census Bureau, April 2012 - October 2016)

Position Summary

• Conduct in-depth data quality analysis and assessments to ensure accurate and reliable Labor Force and Assets data from the American Community Survey (ACS) and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).
• Develop ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) .
• Perform statistical analyses and contribute to published data products.

Job Duties and Accomplishments

• Ensure Data Quality: Developed and implemented quality control checks to identify, investigate, and resolve complex data issues.
  • Led analysis and programming for 2014 SIPP Wave 1 Assets data review and data products, approving data for public release – the first release after a major program redesign.
• Verify Data Collection and ETL: Created and maintained survey instruments and ETL specifications.
  • Engineered a natural language processing bigram model to classify vehicle make/model text responses, reducing person-hours by 80%.
• Complete Statistical Analysis and Reporting: Designed and produced data products and analytical reports for public release, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and usability for a wide range of data users.
  • Led analysis for the Assets section of the 2013 SIPP-EHC Evaluation quantitative report.
• Assist Data Customers and Stakeholders: Provided technical support and guidance to internal stakeholders and external customers, translating complex technical issues into clear explanations and guidance.
  • Authored the Assets section of the 2014 Panel SIPP Users’ Guide.

Patient Access Representative (Conifer Health Solutions, July 2011 - March 2012)

Position Summary

• Coordinate with patients, families, and healthcare teams to support smooth outpatient hospital service delivery and a positive patient experience.

Job Duties and Accomplishments

• Coordinate Patient Access: Managed outpatient registration flow and intake, and updated electronic health records (EHRs) in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
  • Assisted over 80 customers and addressed over 50 telephone inquiries daily.
  • Audited over 40 patient accounts daily for accuracy and completeness.
• Manage Financial Liability: Calculated, negotiated, and collected patient financial obligations, resolving insurance verification and payment issues as needed.
• Supporting Customers and Care Teams: Delivered empathetic, solution-focused communication with patients, insurance providers, and clinical staff to resolve issues and support service quality.
• Improve Processes: Evaluated and improved patient access workflows to enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and improve the overall patient journey.
  • Decreased turnaround-time data entry by 20% by designed an improved time-entry system in collaboration with technical team.
  • Decreased direct-admission wait time by 75% by developing a new standard form for healthcare providers to complete in advance.

Technical Skills

Programming & Database: Python (+Pandas, NumPy, Django), R (+Shiny), SQL, SAS, Spark, Stata, Git

Cloud & OS: AWS (+EC2, S3, RDS, Networking), Linux (+scripting, administration, networking), Docker

Reporting: Tableau, Markdown, Microsoft Publisher

Project Management: Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Jira

Research and Reports

The Commuting Patterns of Older Workers: 2013-2017 (2020)
Burrows, M., Burd, C., Smith, A., He W., B. McKenzie

Measuring Entrepreneurship in the American Community Survey: A Demographic and Occupational Profile of Self-Employed Workers (2018)
Christnacht, C., Smith, A. and R. Chenevert

2016 American Community Survey Content Test: Weeks Worked (2017)
Smith, A., Howard, D. and M. Risley

Improvements to Measuring Net Worth of Households: 2013 (2017)
Smith, A., Chenevert, R. and J. Eggleston

A Glance at the Age Structure and Labor Force Participation of Rural America (blog) (2016)
Cheeseman-Day, J., Hays, D. and A. Smith

Distribution of Household Wealth in the U.S.: 2000 to 2011, with accompanying data tables (2014)
Gottschalck, A., Vornovytskyy, M. and A. Smith

Household Wealth in the U.S.: 2000 to 2011, with accompanying data tables (2013)
Gottschalck, A., Vornovytskyy, M. and A. Smith

Household Debt in the U.S.: 2000 to 2011, with accompanying data tables (2013)
Gottschalck, A., Vornovytskyy, M. and A. Smith

Other Products

Survey of Income and Program Participation Data Primer - Developer and author (2024)

2018 to 2023 SIPP Users’ Guides – Designer (2018) and lead editor (2018 – 2023)

2023 PAA SIPP Workshop for New and Experienced Users - Section 6, “Accessing SIPP data and resources” creator (2023)

2021 to 2024 SIPP Data Dictionaries - Designer and developer (2021)

Survey of Income and Program Participation Website - Lead editor (2019–2025)

2023 & 2024 Virtual SIPP Conferences - Project manager and technical lead (2023-2024)

Education

Master of Arts in Economics, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., May 2011
Concentrations: Econometrics, Industrial Organization

Bachelor of Business Administration, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, December 2008
Concentrations: Economics, Human Resource Management

Professional Development

Master’s Citation in Project Management
The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (2014)

Management/Supervisory Training
140+ hours covering management, leadership, and law (2019–2024)

Technical Training
300+ hours spanning software development, distributed computing, and machine learning (2012–2018)

Job Detail to Launch the Household Pulse Survey
Created data-table specifications and completed data review for Health Insurance and Medical Care content (2020)

Job Detail to the Health and Disability Statistics Branch
Completed CPS-ASEC data review and programmed estimates for the Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2014 report
Health and Disability Statistics Branch, U.S. Census Bureau, (2015)