At the June 9th meetings of the boards of directors of Meridian Interstate Bancorp, Inc., and its wholly-owned banking subsidiary, East Boston Savings Bank, Richard Gavegnano, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Meridian and chairman of the board of East Boston Savings Bank was appointed as the CEO and acting president of East Boston Savings Bank and of Meridian Interstate. Gavegnano replaces Robert Verdonck, who recently resigned and retired. Gavegnano has been authorized by the board to lead a search committee to consider candidates for the president position.