Doug Anderson. Photo courtesy of Liberty Bank

Liberty Bank’s board of directors unanimously elected a new chair last month, the bank said, after longtime Chairman Mark Gringras unexpectedly passed away March 7.

“Mark was a wonderful husband, dad and doting grandfather. He also cherished his second family – his Liberty teammates. Whether he was in the Boardroom, visiting a branch or in the community, Mark always conveyed kindness, loyalty and leadership and demonstrated a steadfast dedication to ensuring Liberty remains a mutual bank. His leadership and friendship cannot be replaced but his legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of our Board members and teammates at Liberty Bank,” Liberty Bank President and CEO David W. Glidden said in a statement.

Gringras’ seat was given to Doug Anderson, a corporator and board member at the Middletown bank since 2018. He has sat on the bank’s credit risk, audit, compensation and governance committees, most recently as chair of the former. He has also been chairman of the Liberty Bank Foundation in addition to sitting on the boards of several local charities.

Anderson, a South Windsor resident, was president of the former Savings Bank of Manchester until 2004 and sat on the board of directors for the former New Alliance Bancshares Inc., and held executive roles in the technology industry.

“Since Doug joined the Board six years ago, he has earned high admiration and a stellar reputation as a Director and a ‘Be Community Kind’ brand ambassador in the communities we serve,” Glidden said in a statement. “Not only does he possess extensive business acumen but he also brings invaluable banking acumen and a wealth of banking knowledge as a former President and Board Chair for other community banks. He’s done a terrific job and we know he will serve us well in setting the course for the Bank as he takes on this leadership role.”