Southeastern Institute for Women in Politics

TheRackesGroup, Strategic Internet Communications

After Barbara Rackes' business beginnings in the apparel industry, Rackes built several technology companies including Excelorant, Syneractive, and Levity Technologies before launching TheRackesGroup. Her e-business ventures follow twenty successful years in traditional brick and mortar retail during which Rackes built a $10 million company doing business in 3 southeastern cities and employing more than 100 people. Prior to her years as an traditional and online pioneer, Rackes served as a press secretary to a US Congressman in Washington while attending law school.

Clients who have benefited from Rackes' Internet strategy and communication services include The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics; Senator Mark Herring (VA),  AT&T of South Carolina - diversity initiatives; Conservation Voters of South Carolina and many others.

Rackes was named Small Businessperson of the Year by the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce and received the Athena Award for small business accomplishment as a woman. In 1987, she was honored by the US Small Business Administration as the Small Business Person of the Year for both the State of South Carolina and the 10-state southeastern region. In 1994, the National Retail Federation honored Rackes as National Independent Retailer of the Year. Rackes has received numerous other awards including the US Chamber of Commerce Blue Chip Award for Business Excellence. In 2011, the Palmetto Center for Women honored her with the TWIN Award for Entrepreneurship.

An active contributor to her community, Rackes has chaired or served on many local, state and national boards including the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Small Business Board, the University of South Carolina Educational and Research Foundation Boards, Claflin College Business Advisory Board, the Palmetto Health Foundation Board of Directors, the Central Carolina Community Foundation Board and the Governor's Commission for Management, Accountability, and Performance (MAP).