The village of La Grange has named Andrianna Peterson as its new village manager.
Peterson was selected from 80 candidates from across the country. The Village Board is slated to vote on her appointment at its meeting Monday.
Village Trustee Michael Kotynek, who co-chaired the search committee, said the board has discussed her appointment in executive sessions and he does not expect any opposition. Her first day as village manager is scheduled to be on July 11.
Peterson has been assistant village manager since August 2006. In that role she has been involved in budgeting, personnel, grants administration, risk management and public relations.
She also has served as deputy clerk and staff liaison to the Liquor Commission, Board of Fire and Police Commission and Environmental Control Commission. She has been involved with the Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, West Central Cable Agency and coordination of various strategic initiatives of the Village Board.
Peterson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. Before joining La Grange, she was an intern in Clarendon Hills, assistant executive director of the West Central Municipal Conference and village administrator in Berkeley.
Kotynek said the committee did a thorough national search to find the new manager. It narrowed the field to 12 candidates and interviewed seven, including Peterson.
“She is familiar with the challenges La Grange faces and she’s very passionate about the position,” he said.
Kotynek said Peterson is well acquainted with some of the challenges La Grange faces.
“We have a bunch of strategic goals including stormwater litigation, naming a new police chief and restructuring some departments,” he said.
He said Peterson mentioned wanting to improve the village’s use of technology during the interview process.
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“That’s an area she identified to make us more efficient,” he said.
Peterson is looking forward to her new role.
“It has been a pleasure and honor to work with an incredibly talented and professional team of elected officials and staff, as well as an engaged and thoughtful citizenry with a true passion for public service and good governance,” she said in an email. “I am excited and grateful for this wonderful opportunity and I look forward to continuing to serve La Grange in the role of village manager.”
Neither Peterson nor Kotynek would provide information on her salary. The Doings will file a Freedom of Information Act request for that information.
Peterson is replacing village manager Robert Pilipiszyn who retired in June. He had worked 12 1/2 years as village manager and prior to that was the assistant village manager. He is the village’s longest serving village manager.
Peterson, her husband, Michael, and son live in La Grange Park.