Robert Lendi to step down as Hammond city controller<br /><br /><br />April 16, 2014 8:00 pm  •  Matt Mikus matt.mikus@nwi.com, (219) 933-3241<br /><br />HAMMOND | City Controller Robert Lendi started his career in accounting, largely because his professor pushed him into seeking a college degree.<br /><br />Who knew that teacher, Thomas McDermott Jr., and would later become the mayor of Hammond and hire Lendi to balance the city books?<br /><br />In 2001, Lendi signed up for a few business classes at Purdue University Calumet to help run a family construction business. One of those was McDermott's business law class.<br /><br />""He asked me what my major was, and I told him I didn't have one,"" Lendi said. ""He started lecturing me that I was selling my life short and inspired me to do something more, so I ended up with a business major in finance and accounting.""<br /><br />McDermott's drive and high standard was an inspiration for Lendi.<br /><br />""It's like having a personal trainer every day, but for work,"" he said. ""He pushes you hard, and doesn't settle for mediocrity.""<br /><br />After 10 years of working for the city, Lendi announced Monday he plans to leave his position for a new opportunity at the American Society of Clinical Pathology in Chicago as director of finance.<br /><br />""In my role as the city controller, I always saw myself going to a nonprofit,"" Lendi said. ""Governmental and nonprofit accounting translate very well, where going to a for-profit corporation would be kind of a stretch.""<br /><br />He was in discussion with the medical association for about a month and made the decision over the weekend.<br /><br />He said he enjoyed his work with the city, because he felt the responsibility of serving the public.<br /><br />""If I had a bad day, I would just think that I did what I could to make life better for the city,"" he said. ""If people saw a drop in their taxes by $5, I felt proud that I had a hand in that.<br /><br />""Now I'll be able to go to a place where I can try to make things better for millions of people. This medical association is for pathologists, lab technicians and scientists. They're the ones who are actively looking for cures.""<br /><br />Lendi and his family plan to stay in Hammond, and he hopes to continue to work with Purdue Calumet teaching accounting classes.<br /><br />McDermott said he took it hard when Lendi informed him of his new job, but he's not surprised. He considered the man who filled the city's controller position for the last decade to be a brilliant accountant and a loyal friend.<br /><br />""I took it pretty badly, I have to admit. But that goes to show I'm recruiting talented people. I give young people an opportunity to thrive,"" McDermott said. ""When they do well, other people grab them away with bigger salaries.""<br /><br />The search for a new controller began immediately, and Lendi said he was willing to help the city find his replacement. His last day will be April 30, and he will start his new job May 5.<br /><br />