LEWISTON — Richard J. Vail, president and CEO of Mechanics Savings Bank, was elected Maine Bankers Association chairman for the next year.

His election came at the 120th annual meeting of the association June 21 at the Cliff House in Ogunquit.

A Portland native, Vail received a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from the University of Southern Maine. He began his banking career with Northeast Bank of Westbrook in 1977 and subsequently worked at Peoples Heritage Bank, A.G. Edwards & Sons, and Gorham Savings Bank before being named to his current position in January 2006.

In addition to his work at Mechanics Savings Bank, he is vice chairman of the University of Southern Maine Foundation, an advisory board member at Lewiston-Auburn College, chairman of the board of Central Maine Community College Foundation, a board member of the Lewiston-Auburn Economic Growth Council, a committee member of the Auburn-Lewiston YMCA Investment Committee, and a board member at St. Mary’s Health System.