- One word to describe yourself: Perceptive
- Alma Mater: Washington University in St. Louis
- Favorite book: “The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller
- Favorite TV show: “King of the Hill”
- Favorite movie: “Vertigo”
- Favorite hobby(s): Hiking and collaging
- Fun fact about yourself: I have an identical twin brother who, although lives in another city, I get mistaken for by strangers on occasion.
- Favorite station or stop that you have ever visited or frequent (and why): I used to live near and frequent D.C. Metro’s NoMa-Gallaudet U station and enjoyed the view of Union Station, the Metropolitan Branch Trail, and surrounding landscape while waiting on the platform.
- Favorite route you have ever ridden or frequent (and why): I use the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority H2 bus to run errands on the weekend and enjoy its path through tree-covered neighborhoods and Rock Creek Park.
Zachary A. Hernandez began at AlphaVu as a content analyst in 2016 and has since worked his way up to chief data analyst where he designs customized research projects and directs the creation and compilation of customized data analytics.
As the chief data analyst for AlphaVu, Hernandez works every day to advance the use of big data to better understand everything from operations and safety and labor relations to government relations and public outreach. His work for public transportation and infrastructure clients across the country use artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining and data visualization to solve problems and meet strategic goals. He pushes innovative uses of data to help mold public opinion and in turn help localities build support for public transportation funding.
His projects contributed to the success of local ballot initiatives for securing funding for transit and infrastructure, and they helped develop efficient, successful public outreach models.
In addition to his work, he’s also been building his industry presence through industry presentations, such as speaking at COMTO’s Annual Meeting in 2017, and he’s been published in Mass Transit Magazine where he wrote “Social Listening: A human-centered approach to your online strategy.”
Before joining AlphaVu, Hernandez was a research fellow at Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri, where he conducted an independent research project titled “A Politics of Urban Mobility: Everyday Practices and the Construction of Informal Public Transportation in Bogotá, Colombia.”
“I’m fortunate to work alongside colleagues whom I deeply respect and are equally dedicated to solving the unique and complex problems our transit clients face. I’ve also benefited from working in an environment that allows me to experiment with data in creative ways, develop new skills and apply what I’ve learned to real-world contexts.”
“In 2016, I led the planning of an Election Night Command Center where we tracked and broadcast local transit ballot measure results in real-time online. This event took months of planning and required me to learn an incredible amount about analyzing election data and organizing digital outreach events, skills I often use in my role today.”
“It’s important the industry continues to innovate its public outreach and stay creative in finding new ways to build support. One way to do so is to connect the content of your messaging to the preexisting affinities and values of people living in your community.”
