NATCHEZ — The new director of the Natchez City Cemetery is no stranger to public service.

Former Natchez Ward 5 alderman Mark Fortenbery was hired recently to serve as director of the city-owned cemetery.

Fortenbery served for eight years on the Natchez Board of Aldermen, but was unseated in the June election. His public service as an alderman made Fortenbery stand out as a candidate for the director’s position, Natchez City Cemetery Association board member Catherine Ratcliffe said.

“His people skills seem to rise to the top,” she said. “He just seemed to have a really good repertoire for dealing with people.”

Additionally, Ratcliffe said Fortenbery has the “temperament” to be a great cemetery director.

“The main reason we felt Mark would be a great public face for our cemetery is his ability to empathize with people who are dealing with the death of a loved one,” Ratcliffe said. “We felt he had the … ability to really connect with people.”

In addition to interacting with the cemetery’s clients, the main responsibilities of the job include the upkeep and maintenance of the more than 100-acre cemetery.

Since Fortenbery took over as director, Ratcliffe said, the cemetery looks better than it has in the past.

“It doesn’t just look maintained, it looks manicured and professional,” she said.

Fortenbery applied for the position after he heard the cemetery association was looking for a director. A longtime production superintendent in the oilfield, Fortenbery decided to exit the business with oil prices low and reduced demand for oilfield work.

“And my wife wouldn’t let me retire,” he said, joking.

Fortenbery said he certainly thinks his time as a Natchez alderman helped him develop skills applicable to the cemetery director’s job.

“In having to deal with people and listen to people, I learned a bunch of patience,” he said.

A familiarity with city operations and personnel has also been beneficial, Fortenbery said.

“(Public Works Supervisor) Justin Dollar has been out here and helped out with a few things, so I think having those resources has been helpful, being able to call people and know people who can help out,” Fortenbery said.

As cemetery director, Fortenbery said he has another opportunity to serve the public.

“I felt like this was another way I could serve my community,” he said.