Alabaster has named former Alabaster Athletic Director Ricky Nance the full-time director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Nance, who has served as the department’s interim director since former director Larry Vann resigned June 2, was chosen out of a pool of 45 original applicants for the position.

“We interviewed six candidates that were supplied by the civil service director,” Mayor David Frings wrote in an e-mail. “They were spread among three states.

“After the interviews, Mr. Ricky Nance stood out as the top candidate,” Frings added. “Ricky has served as a park and recreation director in two other Alabama cities, and has served Alabaster very well as the interim director.”

City officials narrowed the applicants to the top six, and then interviewed the top candidates beginning Dec. 7. The city announced its decision Dec. 11.