The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners on Friday said that Al Moro, chief harbor engineer, would serve as interim executive director until a permanent director is hired.

Former executive director Christopher Lytle announced last month that he was leaving to take the same position at the Port of Oakland. Moro’s appointment will go into effect after the board holds a formal vote on June 17.

Moro, who joined the port as a civil engineer in 1997, now oversees administrative and technical activities for the port’s engineering programs, including nearly $4 billion in capital improvement projects. He said in a statement that he would not be a candidate for the permanent position.