Robert S. Herbert on Friday became Suffolk’s new city manager before a packed house of co-workers, family members, friends, and city leaders from Suffolk and Portsmouth.

More than 150 people gathered in the City Council chambers to witness Herbert, 57, take his oath of office and pledge to keep the city moving forward.

&uot;This is a humbling experience for me,&uot; said Herbert. He replaced Myles E. Standish, whose last day was Feb. 6.

Herbert pledged to remain focused on accomplishing goals set by council.

&uot;I promise that what interests you will fascinate me,&uot; he said. &uot;Your priorities will be my priorities.

&uot;…We will work as a team to carry out the city’s vision… as Suffolk continues its great march forward.&uot;

Herbert, the city’s assistant director of economic development for the past six years, was selected from among 70 candidates to lead the city of 69,000.

The City Council unanimously approved his $110,000 employment contract earlier this week.

Mayor E. Dana Dickens III said Herbert has already played a vital role in bringing Suffolk to where it is today.

He credited him with leading the city through the update of the 2018 Comprehensive Plan and the crafting of the city’s nationally recognized smart growth map, the Unified Development Ordinance.

&uot;Herbert has helped us set the stage, .. and invest in the land and infrastructure that will make us attractive for a long time to come.

&uot;Steve Herbert’s fingerprints have been all over things in this city for years,&uot; Dickens said. &uot;The stage is set and the players in place. So as Steve would say, ‘Let’s get on with it.’&uot;