Fresno County Supervisors on Tuesday approved a familiar face to act as the governing body’s top attorney.

After receiving unanimous approval from supervisors, former Fresno City Attorney Doug Sloan will serve as county counsel beginning Sept. 2, according to a news release from the county. The position opened after longtime county counsel Daniel Cederborg announced his retirement in May.

Sloan returns to Fresno after three years as Santa Monica City Attorney.

“I’m grateful to the board of supervisors for this opportunity to return home and work with some great people at the county,” Sloan said in a statement.

Sloan in the Middle of City Council Controversy

Sloan’s tenure at Santa Monica ends Aug. 31, according to a news release from the city. He began working for the coastal metro after a conflict between Fresno City Councilmembers Nelson Esparza and Garry Bredefeld pulled Sloan into controversy.

Sloan alleged at the time he was told by Esparza to only work for certain councilmembers.

The Fresno County District Attorney investigated the matter but ultimately dropped extortion charges against Esparza.

Shortly after, Sloan resigned his position and took a job with Santa Monica.

Sloan Once Biked From Canada to Mexico

Before his nine years as Fresno City Attorney, Sloan had been a trial lawyer in private practice in Missouri, Kansas, and California, trying more than three dozen jury cases.

Sloan grew up in Missouri but has spent most of his life in California, according to the release. He lives in Fresno with his wife, Janet and two boys, 23 and 21, who both attend Fresno State.

He is an avid bike rider, one riding 1,657 miles from Canada to Mexico in 2001.