It was a great event, featuring a host of engaging community representatives.

Marc Coudert, Environmental Program Coordinator with the City of Austin, presented the current state of the Austin Green Business Leaders program and plans for growth in 2013.

I also had the opportunity to present – I am the Austin Community Outreach Leader with Rackspace. I was honored to be able to share Rackspace’s core mission of Fanatical Support® and the unique “Committee Culture” fostered in our Austin Office, which has resulted in an more than 200 percent increase in employee engagement over two years.

We were joined by our event co-hosts, Buenos Aires Café, Eco Chic Floral, Green Thumb Composting and Texas Saké. All of our co-hosts are members of the Austin Green Business Leaders program. The Austin Green Business Leaders program is open to all businesses, large or small, in the City of Austin. Rackspace is a founding and platinum member of the program. Through the use of a Green Business Scorecard, businesses can evaluate their efforts in sustainability and receive tools and resources to further their efforts.

We had a great time hosting over 40 representatives of local Austin businesses at our thriving Austin office. Rackspace loves to support our local communities and the Austin Green Business Leaders program provides a great way to connect with other local businesses focused on sustainability.

We would like to thank everyone who came out, and we look forward to continuing to do our part for the Austin community.

The Top Workplaces are determined based solely on employee feedback. The survey is conducted by WorkplaceDynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement. WorkplaceDynamics conducts regional Top Workplaces programs with more than 30 major publishing partners and recognizes a national list of Top Workplaces.

Our Austin Rackers are treated to perks such as an on-site gym (with free workout classes three days a week and yoga twice a week), and healthy lunch vendor options throughout the week. In addition, a free Wi-Fi-equipped shuttle takes Rackers daily, back and forth, to Rackspace’s San Antonio mother ship. Events such as Sumo wrestling to raise money for the Capital Area Food Bank; all day hackathons; monthly rookie mixers; “Racksgiving;” Earth Day, where you can bring your dog to work; and our annual holiday soirée keep up the fun and weirdness in the office.

While working, Austin Rackers enjoy an open, collaborative environment. Known as one of the Rackspace Innovation Centers, our Austin Rackers are working on cutting edge technology and are constantly innovating on ways to provide Fanatical Support to our customers.

In the Austin office, we have a group of leaders (managers and non-managers) who are committed to making this a great place to work. Throughout the year, they work tirelessly on committees with functions ranging from communications to office logistics. Our improvement year over year is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these awesome Rackers.

Think you’ve got what it takes to be a Racker in Austin? We’d love to talk to you. Check out rackertalent.com/austin/ for more information.

Congratulations to all of the companies listed as one of the Austin American-Statesman Top Workplaces!

The Rackspace global Green Team develops strategies and shares best practices across the operation to promote productivity and well-being.  Sustainability is a key ingredient to attracting and retaining the best talent.

Examples of our green office practices include:

• Operating a shuttle between Austin and San Antonio to encourage fuel-economy
• Hosting an annual Green Day
• Being recognized as a “Founder” in the newly launched Austin Green Business Leader program and achieving “Platinum” status, the highest rating possible, for the operation of the office

Rackspace was also a finalist in the “Health and Wellness” category.

The Chamber of Commerce recognizes companies throughout the region that make Austin one of the top cities in the world to do business. This year there were over 300 companies nominated for their business excellence.  Check out the rest of the winners here.