Berkshire Hills Bancorp Inc., the holding company for Berkshire Bank, announced that Bill Ryan will step down as board chairman. J. Williar (“Bill”) Dunlaevy will take over as board chair on Dec. 1. chairing Berkshire Bank’s board as well.

During Berkshire Hills Bancorp’s Oct. 29 earnings call, CEO Richard Marotta said Ryan, who will remain on the board, reduced his role due to health reasons.

“We’re grateful for his vision and leadership that he has contributed since taking the position of board chair five years ago,” Marotta said during the call. “While he’s reducing his role for health reasons, we’re pleased that he’ll continue to remain active on the board of directors. On a personal level, I’d like to thank Bill for the guidance and wisdom he provided me since I assumed the CEO position.”

Dunlaevy was CEO and chairman of Legacy Bancorp Inc. and Legacy Banks from 1996 until the merger with Berkshire in 2011. Dunlaevy is currently a director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation and was previously a director of the Depositors Insurance Fund, Massachusetts Bankers Association and Savings Bank Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to succeed Bill Ryan as chairman, and I look forward to continuing to work with the management team and the entire board to deliver on our commitment to our shareholders, customers, and communities,” Dunlaevy said in a statement. “I want to thank Bill for his leadership, friendship and tremendous contributions to Berkshire as chairman over the past five years. I’m pleased that he’ll remain as a director so the board may continue to benefit from his substantial banking experience and valued judgement. Our Board and management team remain dedicated to our vision of building a 21st century community bank.”

Ryan said in a statement that would continue to work closely with Dunlaevy.

“I’m delighted that the board has selected Bill Dunlaevy to succeed me as chairman,” Ryan said in the statement. “He has great expertise in community banking and is committed to success for our company, culture and vision.”

Berkshire Hills Bancorp had third quarter net income of $23 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to $25 million, or $0.52 per share, in the prior quarter. Third quarter results included a $16 million loan loss provision, or $0.23 per share after tax, related to the full charge-off of a commercial loan which defaulted in September due to potential fraud.