Robert K. Sheridan, president and chief executive officer of The Savings Bank Life Insurance Co. of Massachusetts (SBLI), has been selected to lead the University of Massachusetts Building Authority.

Sheridan, who most recently served as vice chairman of the authority, was elected chair at the Oct. 1 UMass Building Authority meeting. He succeeds former chair and UMass Dartmouth alumnus William E. Giblin, who is retiring from the board.

Sheridan was a member of the University of Massachusetts board of trustees from 2002 to 2007, serving in a variety of positions including vice chairman of the board.

At the October meeting, UMass trustee Richard J. Lawton, an attorney in private practice, was elected to fill the open vice chairman position vacated by Sheridan. UMass Amherst alumnus Paul J. Carney will maintain his duties as secretary-treasurer.

The authority is responsible for the provision of new academic, athletics and residential facilities on UMass campuses, and for the renovation of existing buildings.  Construction is funded primarily through tax-exempt bonds issued by the authority.