II. The Leader
Allan Frank's gray hair, curled and knotty, tumbled in a wisp that makes his head seem light, and scrappy fading facial hair, like an uncaring college student's, tell little of his demeanor.
In an instant, Frank is either on or off.
Mostly, his expression is static, complimented by his steel-colored eyes and seemingly tamed ferocity. Modest is his thin frame — fit with a black blazer, checkered long-sleeve shirt and tan slacks — and the gold band on his ring finger.
But pressing him, in his favor or against it, reveals dedication.
When asked to talk about his Digital Philadelphia vision, he is passionate. He speaks loud. He leans forwards to rest his arms on his legs, letting his clenched hands hang between his knees like an athlete perched on a bench. Pressed for specifics and clarifications, he becomes temperamental, sometimes stammering, frustrated for words. He rubs his eyes as if kneading away a migraine. When he is unsure, he deflects questions back at the asker. He remains steadfast.
Several individuals involved with the planning process, who asked to speak off the record, believe that Frank's plan is too broad. They compliment his perspective, but fault his inability to hammer out specifics. One person who asked to remain anonymous said that though Frank may have an idea that is "disconnected from reality," he is offering the public the opportunity to shape the next ten years of Philadelphia's technology investment.
The open process is something that Frank is confident about.
"You develop the vision. You develop where you want to go. And then I'm going to say, which of these things will meet the [broadband stimulus] criteria. But we don't stop there. It's time to come together about a long-term vision," he says.
"It's a long-term play," he says, banging on his desk in syncopation with his words.
Frank holds a B.S. in accounting, a masters degree in Computer Science and a M.B.A in finance. He's worked in various accounting and consulting firms throughout his career, notably becoming a senior partner in the consulting department of international firm KPMG Peat Marwick, where he earned tech chops working with its CTO.
In the late 90s, Frank co-founded and took on the roles of President and CTO of Answerthink Inc., a publicly traded strategic advisory firm based in the Philadelphia region. Later, he founded AKA Group, an IT consulting firm.
Frank says that he took on his role as City CTO — and the pay cut that came with it — because he loves the job.
In late July, Frank's influence in the city was elevated by an executive order from Nutter changing Frank's title from Chief Information Officer to Chief Technology Officer of the Division of Technology. The reorganization gives Frank a seat at the table as a member of the mayor's cabinet and puts him directly in charge of the city's 33 departments and 520 employees. Frank says that overhaul shows the mayor's interest in prioritizing technology both internal to government and in the public interest.
"How can you build a sustainable economic environment in today's world without realizing that technology plays a part," Frank asks. "The reason I'm able now to do this and the reason it's a cabinet level position is that it ties directly to all the mayor's priorities."
So much of Digital Philadelphia and the broadband stimulus grant is tied to the mayor's vision to "protect the city's most vulnerable," he says.
Yet, the biggest weight on Frank's shoulders is completely beyond his control. He's got Wireless Philadelphia to deal with.