Greg Hanrahan of Lake Forest is senior director of premium seating at the United Center. He is also a former alderman in the city of Lake Forest.
Q. How did you get into this field?
A. I was offered a job to teach and coach basketball at Lake Forest High School in 1986. I was sent my resume to the Chicago Bulls. I figured I’ll try this sports thing out and I can always go back to teaching. I just celebrated 30 seasons with six NBA championships and three Stanley Cups.
Q. When you were a student at Beloit College, was it your dream to be a senior director of premium seating?
A. (Laughs). Never in a million years. I didn’t know what premium seating was or anything about the sports business. Premium seating was just beginning to become a revenue source for owners so they could build new buildings.
Q. Any unusual or famous customers?
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A. When I first started, I sold an executive suite to a guy who had won the lottery. He bought it for his family to come and watch games rather than buying season tickets.
Q. How much does premium seating cost?
A. Executive Suites are $75,000 to $650,000 a year. All inclusive clubs are $32,000 to $170,000.
Q. Do you get to meet the athletes?
A. Off and on they do things for our clients. During the Jordan years I was able to meet Michael. We had played against each other in high school during an all-star basketball camp in Pennsylvania. I got to meet him and say you dunked on me. He laughed.
Q. Do you get people sidling up to you are parties or events in Lake Forest saying they’d like to meet a particular athlete?
A. I keep my job vague. Usually if I say I work at the United Center, the next question is can I get tickets. Not that I don’t want to help people but we’re in the business to sell. Usually the next question is I’m part of a good charity and they want something donated. We have donated to charities all around Lake Forest.
Q. You served on the city council a few years back. Do you think your work gave you a different perspective on handling the challenges of city government?
A. Absolutely. Because I work with everyone from CEO’s to lower level employees, I have a good background in customer service and working with other people. If someone called me I called them right back. The customer is always first and always right, (Blackhawks Owner) Rocky Wirtz always reminds me.
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