Patty Hoppenstedt is ready to transition from the private to the public sector after being appointed assistant city manager at Monday’s City Council meeting.

A Human Resources director for Schaumburg for five years, Hoppenstedt said she hopes to get to know the staff she will interact with on a day-to-day basis as well as understand the people and culture of the DeKalb community.

“I want my legacy to say, ‘She was fair and consistent,’” Hoppenstedt said. “I’m glad to be here and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and make a difference.”

Q: What made you interested in applying to be DeKalb’s assistant city manager?

A: As you might have heard, prior to coming to the city of DeKalb, I was the director of public resources for the village of Schaumburg. I wanted to transition from the private sector to the public sector. I wanted to make a change to a managerial role and I felt the city of DeKalb was perfect to pursue my career goals and aspirations. I heard a great number of positives about the city manager, Anne Marie Gaura. She’s a great city manager to work with and support my career opportunities.

Q: Do you think it will be hard for you to adapt from working in an area like Schaumburg to coming to a college town like DeKalb?

A: There are definitely differences. I have to get up to speed like in any new job to learn more about the culture, staff and community in DeKalb. It has its challenges, but so does Schaumburg. [It’s] definitely a learning experience, but I don’t think it’ll be a challenge. It’ll be different.

Q: What are some of the challenges or concerns you think you will face and how do you hope to resolve them?

A: Typical challenges that are part of the transition and being new: earning the respect and support of DeKalb as well as the community, trying to understand the culture and where DeKalb has come from. I think a challenge for me is how do I create opportunity and innovation and making sure I’m serving DeKalb well and positively.

Q: What more can you tell us about yourself?

A: I’ve had the pleasure of working for both the public sector and the private sector and learn some great business models. I’ve worked with a lot of great, innovative people. I’m a proud mom of two beautiful children. My husband holds the same passion for public service as I do. I am Hispanic. I am of Mexican and Nicaraguan decent. Spanish is my first language and I am very proud of my culture.

Q: What more can you tell us about yourself?

A: I’ve had the pleasure of working for both the public sector and the private sector and learn some great business models. I’ve worked with a lot of great, innovative people. I’m a proud mom of two beautiful children. My husband holds the same passion for public service as I do. I am Hispanic. I am of Mexican and Nicaraguan decent. Spanish is my first language and I am very proud of my culture.

Q: What are your greatest accomplishments so far?

A: My greatest accomplishment is my ability to mentor, lead and add value to an organization and help create fair and consistent policies. I have created and helped implement through union negotiations. I’ve led a new salary structure for the village employees in the village of Schaumburg.

Q: Do you expect your responsibilities as assistant city manager to change in the next six months to a year …?

A: I think there is definitely a possibility as the city evaluates my skill set and responsibilities. I’m not aware of any immediate changes now. It’s only natural when someone new comes in to give them a period to show their skills. I would welcome a reevaluation and assessment, but right now I’m still trying to learn.

Q: What changes do you think you will want to make in this community?

A: At this point, I will reserve my opinion on what changes are needed. I need to learn more about DeKalb before I can work on changes. I need to identify issues to focus on. I want to speak to the community, and at this point I want to learn and observe.