Paul T. Muniz, the chairman of the board at BankGloucester. Photo courtesy of BankGloucester

Cape Ann-based BankGloucester has elected Paul T. Muniz as its new chairman of the board.

The board unanimously appointed Muniz, succeeding Charles G. Nahatis, who retired at the beginning of January.

“Paul has been a valuable member of the board of directors for over 22 years. His extensive legal background and strategic acumen position him well to help lead BankGloucester into a future of continued success,” Patrick B. Thorpe, president and CEO of BankGloucester, said.

Muniz has been an independent director of BankGloucester since 2001, serving as a chair to numerous committees, according to the bank.

He was a member of the city of Gloucester Capital Improvements Advisory Board, a former trustee of Lahey Health-Northeast Health Systems and a former trustee of the Sawyer Free Library.

Muniz earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of the Holy Cross before serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. Following the Navy, he attended law school and is currently a partner at the national law firm, Lewis Brisbois.

BankGloucester is a state-chartered mutual bank, serving North Shore clients and handling $350 million in assets. The bank is headquartered in Gloucester, and has branches in Essex and Ipswitch.