Out of Office with Ben Blanquera: Tech, trails, and impact
Ben Blanquera has had a front-row seat to Ohio’s tech evolution over the past 25 years — and he's still pedaling forward. As Vice President of Technology and Sustainability at Rackspace Technology, Ben advises enterprises across the globe on hybrid cloud, AI strategy, and responsible modernization. But closer to home in Columbus, he’s just as well known as a mentor, connector, and champion of the Midwest innovation ecosystem.
From advising Fortune 500 leaders to mentoring first-time founders, Ben has played a pivotal role in shaping Ohio’s rise as a tech hub. He’s helped bridge corporate and startup cultures, connect global expertise to local talent, and build the kind of inclusive ecosystem where ideas and people can thrive.
Whether it’s coaching a young founder over coffee, cycling across Ohio to raise money for charity, or supporting community-building initiatives that outlast trends, Ben brings intention and care to everything he does. We caught up with him at home in Dublin, Ohio, to talk tech, travel, coffee, cycling — and the importance of impact .
Where are you based right now?
I live in Dublin and have been here for more than two decades. It’s been incredible to witness how our tech community has grown and matured.
Back in 1999 when I was starting out, we had serious tech DNA. Places like Compuserve, OCLC, Battelle, and Chemical Abstracts were doing big things. But we didn’t have the ecosystem. There were smart people working in isolation, not a connected movement.
Fast forward to today: we have OneColumbus, Drive Capital, Techstars, Techlife Columbus, The Ohio Angel Collective , and JobsOhio Founders can now raise capital, access mentorship, and scale in Ohio. We’ve gone from having potential to having real momentum.
What’s your focus at Rackspace?
I work with mid-size to large enterprises around the world, helping them modernize their operations using hybrid cloud and AI, but also helping them think about sustainability. That’s a big part of what I do.
It’s not just about technology. It’s about building systems and strategies that are scalable, responsible, and sustainable. We are helping companies transform with purpose.
Favorite coffee shops in Columbus?
I stick close to home when I’m not traveling — so my go-to spots are Fox in the Snow, La Chatelaine, and my favorite place to work, COhatch. All three have locations in Dublin and have great atmospheres, whether I’m meeting someone or just grabbing something to start the day. You’re not going to go wrong with any of them
And what about food — favorite places to eat?
That’s tough, Columbus has so many great spots. Rather than picking just one, something we love doing is Columbus Food Adventures. They take you on a bus to five different ethnic restaurants around the city. Places you might never discover on your own.
It’s fun, it’s social, and it gives you a true sense of how diverse and creative the food scene is here. When friends or family come to town, it’s one of our favorite things to do with them.
Cycling is a big part of your life. What’s that look like?
Absolutely. I cycle regularly, usually on the weekends. I’ll head out from Dublin or New Albany, through Westerville or Granville. One of the great things about living in Ohio is the trail system. You can ride all the way to Danville or even up to Cleveland if you want to.
One of my favorite rides is part of the Pan Ohio Hope Ride, which supports the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodges. Think of it like a Ronald McDonald House, but for adults going through cancer treatment. I’ve been a part of that for years. We have a team that rides each summer and almost everyone on our team is in tech.
It’s become more than just a ride. It’s a community. And it’s another way to give back while doing something I love.
You and your wife travel a lot too.
My wife Sandy and I are empty nesters now, and one of the things we’ve started doing is purpose-driven travel. A good friend of ours runs a nonprofit called New Directions Career Center, which helps retrain women for better careers. Every year, they host a charity event where they auction off curated trips.
So we thought: “If we’re going to travel anyway, why not do it in a way that supports a cause?” And that’s what we’ve been doing. We’ve had some fantastic experiences through those trips. This fall we’re headed to Ireland and Scotland on our next one.
It’s a great way to see the world and make a difference at the same time.
What does a typical weekend look like for you?
Saturdays usually start at the Dublin Farmers Market, then maybe I’ll go for a long bike ride. In the evenings, my wife and I like to play Scrabble. We also have a great group of friends, and we often get together for dinner or to just hang.
What’s one thing Ohio tech leaders should be paying more attention to?
We’ve built the structure with growth in funding, talent, support systems. But what will make it last is culture. Culture is what keeps people here. It’s what makes a founder decide to build their second or third company in Ohio instead of somewhere else.
We need to keep investing in community through relationships, storytelling, and inclusion. That’s what makes ecosystems sustainable.
What drives you these days?
Impact. I’ve told my children that you can create the world you want to live in. So why not make it one where you’re surrounded by smart, curious people, where there’s energy around new ideas, and where people make things happen.
For me, impact means leaving something behind that makes people’s lives better, creating a community and ecosystem that our kids would want to be part of and help grow. It’s about making the journey easier for someone else.
–
Out of office with Ben Blanquera
Coffee or tea? Coffee, black. Or with one cream.
Favorite coffee shop? COhatch, Le Chatelaine, or Fox In The Snow Cafe. Dublin locations.
Favorite place to grab a meal? Columbus Food Adventures
Something to look forward to? This fall we’re headed to Ireland and Scotland for the next big trip.