Beacon Financial Corporation (NYSE: BBT) announced that Sean Gray will assume the role of chief executive officer of both the holding company and its banking subsidiary, effective September 21, 2026. Gray will also take seats on the boards of the two entities.
Prior to the appointment, Gray served as chief operating officer, overseeing enterprise operations and the integration of the Brookline Bancorp‑Berkshire Hills Bancorp merger. From November 2018 through 2025 he was president and COO of Berkshire Bank and acted as interim CEO from August 2020 to January 2021. He holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Bentley University.
Long‑time board member Paul Perrault retired on the same day after a banking career spanning more than five decades. He will remain with Beacon Financial in a consulting capacity for the next twelve months.
Board chair David Brunelle said Gray’s appointment represents a catalyst for the next phase of profitable growth, while Gray added that Beacon is well positioned to expand with greater scale, enhanced capabilities and a stronger operating platform.
Beacon Financial reports $22.3 billion in assets and operates more than 145 branches across New England and New York. The stock closed at $30.83 on September 18, down 0.48%, and was trading at $30.77 in pre‑market activity, a 0.19% decline.
