D.C. Department of For-Hire Vehicles Chairman Ernest Chrappah has an eye for innovation in unlikely places. His vision of a nimble, tech savvy and data-centered department, inspired directly by unique mix of entrepreneurial and civic experience, helped convince Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed him to the role a little over a year ago.
Chrappah has plenty of experience to back up his ambitions. He has spent years helping apply technological solutions to District departments. He's had a role at the office of the District CTO and held the role of chief of operations at the DFHV. In between government stints, he co-founded Hugh & Crye, which takes the same kind of data-minded approach toward creating better fitting men's shirts and blazers.
Since his appointment, the Ghana-born American University and University of Maryland alum has overseen new initiatives like a major uptick in the volume of transportation data his department collects and analyzes, a taxi-based delivery service pilot program and plans to create a kind of city-backed UberX/Lyft program for non-taxi drivers to get on the city's dispatch platform. All of which is reflected in the recent renaming of the DC Taxicab Commission as the Department of For-Hire Vehicles.
How do you challenge yourself to think differently and avoid any ruts in your assumptions?
Making assumptions is the way people are wired to think, it's natural. People tell you nothing is possible, until you make progress, then you get encouragement. Then there are more obstacles, but if you're able to sustain a pace, you will be able to do magical things. I pace it like long distance running, but I always have appetite for pushing boundaries.
What is an unlikely place that you find sources of inspiration?
Deep house music. When I get into it, I feel like there's a chemical reaction going on in my mind in tune with the music. Reading also offers me a lot of inspiration.
What job have you had that has had the greatest impact on your career?
In high school, I worked at my family at our [combination] restaurant, bar and hotel. I learned about selling an experience. It instilled in me how important connecting directly with customers is. Getting to know them lets us engage with them in a way that solves a problem and really provide value.
How will your industry change the most in the next five years?
I look at the future through different lenses. Clearly there will be some kind of autonomous vehicle adoption. I'm not sure if it will come from a critical mass of use or more sporadic jumps but electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles will be common. [DFHV] will have integration of full services with its brand for subcontractors [in the future] and you'll see smart devices everywhere, carrying out activities [like] smart bus stops that can hail a cab or an Uber.
What makes Washington, D.C. unique when it comes to innovation?
"Innovations created around here have powerful consequences."
We have a think local first mentality in D.C. The think D.C. first energy makes D.C. unique and [being the capital of the U.S.] innovations created around here have powerful consequences. That's what makes this place so special. We also have a chip on our shoulder, [we want to] prove something. That's why you see the three star flag logo everywhere.
What’s something that you do every single day, no matter what you have going on?
If I don't have breakfast, I don't leave the house. I make sure to pray and exercise every day.
Who in D.C. do you admire?
You mean someone besides the mayor? She's done so much for the city, there's an inspirational aura around her. Nelson Mandela didn't live here but I drive by his statue almost every morning and think about how he was disciplined but remained humble.
What would you change about D.C. if you could do so with a snap of your fingers?
Besides funding, I would say we need more focus on issues that have a global impact, looking beyond just the local level. Pathways to adoption are here, you don't have to jump through hoops. The diversity here is just so powerful and you can tap it in an organic way. It doesn't require hopping on plane, the embassies are all here.
What does it mean to be 'on fire?'
It's about the moment, about creating moments and finding the solutions. It's great to be on fire, but it's much better when fire explodes.
