SPANISH FORT, Ala. — Bobby J. Fortenberry has been named District 3 councilman following a unanimous vote of the five sitting council members.

The action was taken during a called meeting at the Gathering Place. Fortenberry assumes the seat left vacant when longtime city councilman Joe Thomas died Feb. 20.

Fortenberry will be sworn in during the next regular council meeting slated for 6 p.m. April 18

“I’m honored and humbled,” said Fortenberry, who retired as an officer in the U.S. Navy following a 30-year career. He also taught in Escambia County Schools for 15 years.

“It’s a tough call, but we’re blessed in Spanish Fort to have three fine candidates,” said Mayor Joe Bonner. “We would have been blessed to have any of the three of y’all.”

Fortenberry defeated Robert Eugene “Bob” Pannone and Wendy Pickering for the post.

The term expires in November 2012.