Retiring from BLS

Gillman, Daniel - BLS

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May 2, 2025, 4:56:34 PMMay 2

to Data Documentation Initiative Users Group

All,

This is to let you know that as of 16 May I will be retiring from BLS and the US government. I have been at it this for 40 years, so it’s time to move on. The new requirement to work in the office 5 days a week with no exceptions and the physical move of our office from its prime location in downtown Washington to Suitland MD (a not very nice suburb of the city) has resulted in an intolerable 2 hour commute each way every day. I don’t even want to try to get used to this.

I want and plan to stay involved with DDI and continue with all the WGs that I am currently part of. Be advised that as of 16 May, this BLS email address will no longer work. Please start using dgillm...@gmail.com for all communication with me.

Yours,

Dan

Samuel Spencer

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May 2, 2025, 8:49:19 PMMay 2

to Gillman, Daniel - BLS, Data Documentation Initiative Users Group

Hi Dan,

While the rationale is unfortunate - congratulations on your upcoming retirement and your outstanding career.

You have been an amazing contributor and on a personal note an amazing teacher and role model for the data management community.

Thanks for everything you have done!

Cheers,

Sam.

--- Specificity is the soul of all good communication ---
--- When the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box ---
Find out more about me: http://about.me/legostormtroopr

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George Alter

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May 4, 2025, 4:58:04 PMMay 4

to Gillman, Daniel - BLS, Data Documentation Initiative Users Group

Hi Dan,

I'm happy to hear that you will be joining the ranks of the retired!

And I'm glad that you will continue to be part of the DDI world.

This is bad news for the US government. You have worked for so long to get US statistical agencies to pay attention to international standards. When we spoke in Geneva, I was optimistic that you were making progress, but nothing is certain for the next four years. My hope is that you will be welcomed back to pick up the pieces as a consultant with a much higher salary.

Best wishes,

George

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George Alter

Research Professor Emeritus

Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan

Tel: 734-478-0783

Email: alt...@umich.edu

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Franck Cotton

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May 5, 2025, 8:51:45 AMMay 5

to Gillman, Daniel - BLS, Data Documentation Initiative Users Group

Hi Dan

Indeed, welcome to the gang of retirees. I still remember when we first met. Arofan made the introductions and presented you as "metadata legend". As often, he had the right term.

I'm glad that you're planning to stay involved, that means we will probably meet again. So: à bientôt.

Franck

George Alter wrote:

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Bryan Fitzpatrick

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May 5, 2025, 9:06:42 AMMay 5

to Gillman Daniel BLS, ddi-...@icpsr.umich.edu

Hi, Dan,

I expect you remember me - I used to be in all the metadata discussions, first for Australian ABS, then for UK ONS, and then just as me because I like metadata discussions. I am still in the DDI Mailing List, though I am not active, so I saw your note about retiring. I have pretty much totally retired (I am 81), and I am surprised to hear that you are only just getting around to retiring - you seem to have been a metadata leader for a very long time. Let me add my best wishes for your retirement and my thanks for your extremely diligent and always valuable contributions over many years. I am sure that you, like me, like metadata discussions, and I saw your intention to continue being involved.

So, best wishes and good luck.

Bryan Fitzpatrick

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On 2 May 2025, at 21:56, 'Gillman, Daniel - BLS' via DDI Users <icpsr-d...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

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Simon Hodson, ED CODATA

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May 5, 2025, 3:35:40 PMMay 5

to Gillman, Daniel - BLS, Data Documentation Initiative Users Group

Dear Dan,

Thanks for this message. The causes are intensely frustrating, but many feds are clearly taking this step and looking forward to a well-earned retirement and to pursuing their interests in other ways.

I wish you all the best for your retirement, while also being delighted that you will stay involved with DDI! It has been a pleasure to work with you while you have been at BLS and I look forward to further discussions and collaborations in the future.

With very best wishes,

Simon.

On 2 May 2025, at 21:56, 'Gillman, Daniel - BLS' via DDI Users <icpsr-d...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

All,

This is to let you know that as of 16 May I will be retiring from BLS and the US government. I have been at it this for 40 years, so it’s time to move on. The new requirement to work in the office 5 days a week with no exceptions and the physical move of our office from its prime location in downtown Washington to Suitland MD (a not very nice suburb of the city) has resulted in an intolerable 2 hour commute each way every day. I don’t even want to try to get used to this.

I want and plan to stay involved with DDI and continue with all the WGs that I am currently part of. Be advised that as of 16 May, this BLS email address will no longer work. Please start using dgillm...@gmail.comfor all communication with me.

Yours,
Dan

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