Worcester executive to lead Berkshire Bank board

Photo | Rick Saia A Westborough branch of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, more commonly called Berkshire Bank

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By Sloane M. Perron

Boston-based holding company Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Berkshire Bank, announced on Wednesday the retirement of Board Chairperson J. Williar Dunlaevy, and the appointment of David Brunelle as successor.

Brunelle is the co-founder and managing director of North Pointe Wealth Management in Worcester, with 20 years of experience in financial services, according to the press release.

He was the former director of commerce at CB Bancshares Corporation, a holding company headquartered in Kansas, and Commerce Bank & Trust Company in Worcester.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the Board and leadership team to execute on our BEST [Berkshire's Exciting Strategic Transformation] plan as we strive to deliver improved financial performance and best-in-class customer experience as the leading socially responsible community bank," Brunelle said in a statement.

The Board also elected Jeffrey Kip, CEO of Angi Inc., a Colorado internet service provider, to the Board of Directors of Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Berkshire Bank to fill the vacancy created by Dunlaevy's retirement, the announcement stated.

Before announcing his retirement, Dunlaevy was elected to serve as chairperson in December 2019. Previously, he served as CEO and chairman of the board for Legacy Bancorp, Inc. based in Pittsfield, a role that he held from 1996 until the bank’s merger with Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. in 2011.