April 2023 Edition
Dear Team,
As I soon step down and my time here at the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) comes to a close, I find myself thinking about all of the great things that we have accomplished in service to the District, its residents, businesses and visitors. When I think back, I have tried to lead the agency strategically during my tenure as Director. While setting the vision for the agency, I have also sought to recognize untapped potential in each member of the team and create opportunities for that potential to be realized. We have been successful, and each of you has played a pivotal role in doing the work to move the agency forward, and I thank you.
Four and half-years ago, our senior leadership team set out to change our agency’s culture. We had heard from our customers that this was an area of growth. We needed to change our approach and our mindset in order to better understand what was being asked of us. In response, we changed how we worked and how we delivered services to our customers.
Looking at the multitude of great experiences that we have had, there are a few thoughts that resonate. I want to highlight them for each of you:
- Ideas: talk about them, talk through them, and be open to them as they will take you forward.
- Keep on searching and always do great things; commit yourself to something no matter how difficult or complicated it may be.
- Remain relevant and ready for the future.
- Don’t be afraid of changing, whether that be our processes or our thinking.
- Learn what it takes to fail and recover; do what it takes to succeed, and
- Remember what it took for us to do what we have done, and identify what it will take for each of us to continue to grow.
While we are individuals, our strength is found in the sum of our efforts. It is crucial that the team works together as we meet the demands of advancing the built environment. We changed our processes, changed our systems, and we changed minds. We also changed our industry, and I am proud of our work.
With my deepest respect and gratitude, I wish you much success professionally and personally.
Stay safe.
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 Ernest Chrappah
Acting Director
On Monday, April 24, 2023, DOB hosted a training for our staff. We should all be proud of how the team came together and grew through the experience. If you witnessed the competitive nature that was displayed, our time together in training solidified the energy and the cohesiveness that our team brings to work each day. Meeting the unknown, trusting one another, collaborating to find solutions, and navigating and negotiating for success, are the things that we do in pursuit of our mission, and we do it well.
We thank you for coming together and making our agency stronger.
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