AUBURN — Mark A. Pettingill of Scarborough has been named president of Patrons Oxford Insurance Co. in Auburn.

Pettingill will succeed Walter “Pete” Smythe as chief executive officer in April 2012, when Smythe retires.

Pettingill brings 21 years of experience in marketing, underwriting and management to Patrons. For the past 17 years, he has managed the Portland office of Philadelphia Insurance Co.

He is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono, and holds the Certified Insurance Counselor designation.