The Virginia Beach City Council voted during a special formal city council session this afternoon to approve Hansen to lead the city.

Hansen will replace former City Manager James Spore, who held the role for 24 years. Spore retired on Dec. 31. Deputy City Manager Doug Smith has been serving as acting city manager while the council weighed its decision during January. Smith said he did not apply for the city manager position.

Hansen started working for the city in April 2006. As deputy city manager, he has been responsible for overseeing the Departments of Finance and Management Services, Public Utilities, Public Works, Communications and the city’s Capital Improvements Program, according to his bio on the city’s website.

Previously he served as the deputy chief of staff for Resource Management for the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe. He has been an officer in the Army and has held various jobs with the military including working for the Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk district, and as the director of public works for Fort Eustis and Fort Story.