San Diego Metropolitan - 40 Under 40

Were San Diegans to contemplate their most noteworthy citizens, the name Ernest W. Hahn would be on a short list of many long-time area residents. His achievements are permanently observed from Horton Plaza Downtown to the Hahn School of Nursing on the campus of the University of San Diego.

The spirit, ingenuity and public service of the late Ernest W. Hahn live on in his namesake and grandson, Ernest W. Hahn II, a 32-year-old Santa Clara University graduate. He oversees operations for the San Diego Sports Arena and the San Diego Gulls hockey team.

Even though Hahn is the progeny of one of San Diego’s most revered families, his success has come the old-fashioned way — by rolling up his sleeves and getting his hands dirty. Since 1991 he has worked his way up from usher, ticket taker, janitor and even “beer man” to his current position as general manager of the Sports Arena. In the process Hahn has acquired an understanding of what it takes to make an organization successful from the ground up. “It’s a people business, first and foremost, and I really love being around them,” says the buoyant Hahn.

Under Hahn’s direction the Sports Arena has evolved from a building barely suitable for WWF wrestling events to a venue befitting opera legend Luciano Pavarotti. “That’s what makes me most proud,” says Hahn, “to be able to host great events that make our community a better place to live in. Everybody benefits when we can coax big-name attractions out of Los Angeles into the San Diego area.

“By the time I am over 40 I want to be able to say I played an integral role in the building of a new Sports Arena and bringing the NBA back to San Diego — that I did whatever I could to make San Diego better, and foster the kind of leadership and responsibility within our community that leads to new growth.”

Ernie Hahn, the grandfather, devoted his life to community leadership and civic pride, and his efforts go on through his grandson who resolutely intends to continue where his grandfather left off.

“I am very proud of the family I come from,” he says. “Our tradition is of viewing every half-full situation as an opportunity to make a positive difference.”