FARMINGTON — William Bernard has announced his retirement as chairman of the Franklin Savings Bank board of directors. Bernard, who was elected chairman in 2003, has been a member of the board since 1985. Richard Walker of Rangeley has been elected by the board of directors to assume the chairmanship of the board going forward.

Bernard has been with the bank for 32 years. An independent accountant, his financial background has been a valuable asset on the board. He stresses that he has no plans to retire from his tax and accounting practice, however. His business will continue to be active in Farmington.

He and his wife live in Farmington.

Walker has been a member of the FSB board of directors since 1991. He is a certified public accountant in Rangeley, where he has had his own accounting, audit, tax and consulting practice since 1986. Prior to that, Walker worked in public accounting and private industry in Massachusetts.

He has been involved as a volunteer on a number of local nonprofit organizations in the area, including the Rangeley Rotary Club, Rangeley Chamber of Commerce, Rangeley Lakeside Youth Theater and Franklin Memorial Hospital. He has also served the Town of Rangeley on its budget committee and planning board and as its town treasurer. He currently serves on the Rangeley School Board.

He and his wife live in Rangeley.

William Bernard

Richard Walker