The parent company of Beacon Bank, which operates 18 branches in Connecticut, has named Sean A. Gray CEO following the retirement of longtime banking executive Paul A. Perrault.
Boston-based Beacon Financial Corp. said Gray’s appointment took effect Sept. 21. He succeeds Perrault as CEO of both the company and the bank and joins their boards. Perrault will remain as a consultant for one year.
Gray most recently served as Beacon’s chief operating officer, overseeing enterprise operations and the integration of banking systems following the September 2025 merger of Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Brookline Bancorp.
The merger combined Berkshire Bank, Brookline Bank, Bank Rhode Island and PCSB Bank. The company completed the rebranding of its banking operations under the Beacon name in February.
Beacon has 11 branches in the Greater Hartford area, with locations in West Hartford, Glastonbury, Rocky Hill, West Simsbury, Farmington, Colchester, Enfield, Hebron, Lebanon, Mansfield and Windsor.
It also operates seven branches in eastern Connecticut, in Willimantic, Norwich, Groton, Brooklyn, Canterbury, Moosup and Pawcatuck.
The Connecticut network traces largely to Berkshire’s acquisitions of Connecticut Bank and Trust Co. in 2012 and Savings Institute Bank and Trust Co. in 2019.
Gray joined Berkshire Bank in 2007 and served as its president and chief operating officer from November 2018 through 2025. He also served as interim CEO from August 2020 through January 2021.
Gray said his priorities include achieving merger-related cost savings, controlling expenses and pursuing organic growth while maintaining the company’s dividend.
Beacon said it has $22.3 billion in assets and 145 branches across New England and New York.
