Austin FC ‘Scores’ with Green Stadium ft. Jordan Enke

Calling all soccer enthusiasts! In this episode, Amanda Hsieh immerses in an enlightening discussion with Jordan Enke, Senior Vice President of Stadium Operations at Austin FC in Austin, Texas. Jordan plays a pivotal role in the organization with a comprehensive scope that includes overseeing general operations, safety and security, event and guest services, parking and mobility, and sustainability initiatives. Having been a part of Austin FC since its early days in 2019, he was instrumental in various aspects, from site selection to the design and construction efforts of Q2 Stadium. 

Q2 Stadium has garnered numerous accolades, including being certified as LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council. Its achievements also span receiving the Outstanding Construction Award from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) for the Austin Chapter in 2021, being recognized as a VenuesNow All-Star, securing the ULI Austin Impact Award for Most Influential Project in 2021, and earning a StadiumDB Nomination for Stadium of the Year in the same year. The stadium further received the Austin Business Journal Commercial Real Estate Award for Project of the Year in 2021 and the '21 Best Projects Award of Merit from Engineering News-Record in the Sports/Entertainment category for the Texas-Louisiana Region. In 2022, the MLSPA voted Q2 Stadium the Best Atmosphere and Best Field.

Jordan's educational journey led him to a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from West Virginia University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2010. In addition to his academic achievements, he was also recognized as a Facility Management Professional in 2015, showcasing his dedication to excellence.

This is our first ESG Decoded episode to feature a professional sports team. However, instead of talking about players and stats, Amanda and Jordan take a fresh approach by exploring sustainability. Keeping with the theme of 'firsts,' Austin FC is the first major professional sports team in Austin, a city that has long boasted some of the most passionate college sports fans in the country. Tune in as they unravel the intricacies of building a stadium, with a spotlight on site selection being a pivotal factor for sustainability advancements. 

Considering the climate, Q2 Stadium's design cleverly harnesses natural breezes and integrates inventive stormwater management and passive cooling systems. In line with an eco-friendly approach, the stadium's intentional limited parking promotes public transportation usage. The Austin FC organization extends its influence beyond the field, serving as a unifying force in the community with targets for financial and ticket donations to deserving causes. 

This conversation will offer a new perspective and an appreciation for the blend of sustainability and sportsmanship. After listening to this episode, we hope you never look at sports stadiums the same again.

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Episode Resource Links

Amanda’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahsieh1/

Jordan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-enke-04684145/ 

Austin FC LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/austin-fc/ Austin FC Website: https://www.austinfc.com/