People’s United Bank announced that Patrick J. Sullivan joined the bank as market president, responsible for the bank’s footprint across Massachusetts, excluding the Springfield area. Sullivan brings more than 35 years of experience in banking and financial services to the position, including proven capability in commercial banking, specialty finance, acquisitions and executive management.

Sullivan was most recently EVP and chief commercial lending officer at Berkshire Bank. He joined Berkshire after the sale of Legacy Banks, where he was president and CEO, to Berkshire. Previously, Sullivan was New England president and CEO at Sovereign Bank in Boston, which he joined as EVP/managing director of Commercial Banking and Specialized Businesses in 2000. Sullivan began his career at Citizens Financial Corporation.

“We are pleased to welcome Pat to our organization and look forward to his leadership in Massachusetts, a strong growth market for People’s United,” said Jeffrey Tengel, senior executive vice president, Commercial Banking. “We are focused on further expanding our presence as a strong, relationship-based, full-service commercial and retail bank in this market. Pat’s proven leadership and experience in developing the Massachusetts market make him an ideal leader for our team there.”