Liberty Bank Names New Chairman After Longtime Chair's Sudden Passing

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Liberty Bank officials Monday said the institution has a new chairman of the board to fill a vacancy left by the unexpected passing of longtime chairman Mark Gingras.

Liberty Bank President and CEO David W. Glidden and the board said that Doug Anderson was elected chairman at the board's March meeting.

Mark Gingras died on March 7. He had served as Liberty Bank's board chairman since 2007 and was a board member since 2001.

Anderson's role as a Liberty Bank corporator and board member began in April 2018. During the tenure, he has served on the Credit Risk, Audit, Compensation, and Governance Committees and, most recently, as chairman of the Credit Risk Committee.

Anderson's background includes senior executive roles as president of the former Savings Bank of Manchester until 2004 and chairman, president and CEO for the former Open Solutions. He spent 14 years at Unisys, an international technology company, and served on the board of directors for the former New Alliance Bank's parent, New Alliance Bancshares, Inc.

Beyond Liberty’s board room, Anderson has been a "dedicated and generous community partner," officials said. His contributions include philanthropic support and board service for organizations like the Connecticut Science Center, SBM Charitable Foundation, Manchester Community College Foundation and Connecticut Foodshare.

He also served as Chairman of the Liberty Bank Foundation.

Anderson is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and currently resides in South Windsor.

"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. "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."

On the unexpected passing of Gingras, Glidden added, "Mark was a wonderful husband, dad and doting grandfather. He also cherished his second family — his Liberty teammates. Whether he was in the board room, 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."