Born in Washington DC, Hilton. I attended St. Albans High School on a choirboy and acolyte scholarship from the Washington Cathedral. After graduating from the University of Maryland on a football scholarship, I was hired by Hilton Hotels Corporation and placed in a management training program. A decade later, I became the general manager of the San Diego Hilton and Resort on Mission Bay, being at the time the youngest of 48 Hilton General Managers. Before being transferred to SD I managed several other Hilton hotels in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. Soon after being in Sd, I was voted to become the President of the SD Hotel Motel Association.
Not wanting to leave San Diego when Hilton wanted to transfer me again, I started a technology company in Poway based on an idea from my hotel career. I built the company to over 80m employees and sold it in 2006.
25 years ago, I volunteered to coach a Special Olympics softball team which grew from 12 to 60. As I became more involved with parents I began to understand how important education and independent housing options were to families. I was instrumental in bringing a developer to Poway to construct 53 affordable apartments for special needs adults. I also worked with the city of Poway to bring another 60 affordable unit projects together with 30 units for veterans and 30 units for special needs adults. I helped produce a documentary film called Playing with Heart about my team called the Poway Padres. It is a story about the value of playing on a team and what it means to players’ families and friends. The premiere was attended by 300 people. In 2014, I created a Foundation to help support families with a variety of activities and local events over the years.
I was recognized by the mayor and city council last year by Proclaiming a day in my name for my service to the special needs community over the past 25 years.
The community civic and political leaders have been very supportive of my efforts over the years to help families with special needs family members, for which I am very grateful.
About Tony Rubino
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have one son, Brad, who has a daughter Zoe who is an accomplished dancer on the San Pasqual Dance Team. I’ve been married to my wife Betty for 47 years. I have two younger brothers who live in GA and NY.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I certainly enjoyed my years with Hilton Hotels and the many people I met over the years. Enjoyed building a company. Certainly, have enjoyed working with special needs families over the past 25 years. joyed
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Find something you are passionate about doing and it won’t feel like work.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Continue making a difference in the lives of those with special needs family members.
Tony Rubino & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Original Pancake House in Poway – Brigantine in Poway
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
40 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Sue Herndon a local real estate executive
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
North County Special Needs Community Foundation
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Poway is a very welcoming community and is a well-run city with people that are very willing to help others.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Jack Nicklaus the golfer at Pacific Coast Grill Carlsbad,
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Tin Cup – Forrest Gump
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was my high school quarterback and Al Gore was the center on my team.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Playing Augusta National golf course with my son
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My faith inspires me.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, security, and thankful
