At 2011 Rockville Financial Inc. shareholders meeting are Crawford (left) and McGurk (right).William H. W. "Bill" Crawford IV officially became president and CEO of Rockville Financial Inc. and Rockville Bank at the company’s annual shareholders’ meeting on Tuesday.

Crawford succeeds William J. McGurk, who served as president and CEO for 31 years. McGurk will continue to serve as a member of Rockville Bank’s board of directors for at least two more years, according to a statement.

Crawford joined Rockville Bank as its senior executive vice president in January to succeed McGurk upon his retirement. His previous banking experience includes a 23-year career at Wells Fargo & Co. and its predecessor banks, Wachovia and SouthTrust.

"While we’re changing Bills, we don’t change our customer service commitment or our values," Crawford told shareholders during Tuesday’s meeting. "Rockville Bank is squarely positioned to reinvest in the business and create shareholder value. Our future is full of optimism and prudent growth."