POULSBO — The Kitsap County Board of Commissioners approved the recommendation of the Port of Poulsbo that lawyer Stephen Swann be appointed to the port commission.

Port Commissioner Jim Rutledge said the port interviewed four candidates at a special meeting May 23 and recommended Swann to the county.

“He’s shown real interest in the port, has an excellent local and previous residence record of community service, and brings a lot of personal expertise that will be useful to the port immediately,” Rutledge said.

Swann and his wife, Lana, moved to Poulsbo in October from Virginia, where he was a judge advocate general for 24 years. Swann is a retired Coast Guard commander.

The Swanns moved to Little Norway after visiting some friends and enjoying the change of pace.

“We like small towns. [Poulsbo] is extremely friendly, highly cultured, [has a] low stress environment,” he said.

“I think I’d like for the community to better recognize what the port contributes,” he added. “From talking to a lot of people in the past few months, a lot of people don’t realize what the port does.

“I’d like for the port to become more active in the community, more involved with the Coast Guard, the boating community, yacht clubs … Perhaps be more visible.”

Because of the time that elapsed since former Commissioner Glenn Gilbert resigned in November, port commissioners asked the county for guidance to appoint their third commissioner.

The port will welcome Swann to the commission at the next meeting, June 7,  7 p.m., at the port offices on E dock.

“The port appreciates all of the interested, multiple qualified candidates,” Rutledge said. “We hope they’ll continue to show interest in the port.”Commissioners are still looking for volunteers to serve on a citizen advisory council as they update the port’s Comprehensive Plan.

The term expires Dec. 31, 2015, but Swann will have to run in the November 2013 election for the right to complete the term. Commissioners receive $100 a meeting.

Swann’s appointment ends a tumultuous chapter in recent port history. Glenn Gilbert resigned in November and Arnie Bockus, who lost a reelection bid that month, voted to appoint himself to Gilbert’s post.

Rutledge, who defeated Bockus in November, questioned the legality of the appointment. An assistant state attorney general determined that Bockus could not be appointed. Bockus resigned in March.