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ESF Welcomes Three New Members to Board of Trustees, Strengthening Leadership for Future Growth
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — June 17, 2026 — Governor Kathy Hochul nominated, and the New York State Senate confirmed, the appointment of three new members to the Board of Trustees of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry: Mr. Steven T. Noble, Ms. Jessica Ottney Mahar, and Dr. Peter E. Smith. The college looks forward to welcoming these new trustees this summer.
These appointees bring extensive experience in public service, environmental leadership, and education, further strengthening ESF’s commitment to excellence and continued growth.
Mr. Noble, a 2004 ESF alumnus and current mayor of Kingston, New York, has more than two decades of experience in public service and environmental education. Earlier roles in Kingston’s Parks and Recreation Department included environmental educator and environmental operations specialist, along with service as a board member of the Kingston Land Trust.
Ms. Ottney Mahar brings more than 20 years of experience in environmental policy, advocacy, and conservation strategy. As New York director of policy and strategy for The Nature Conservancy, work includes co-leading statewide conservation efforts and advancing public funding and policy to protect natural resources.
Dr. Smith has dedicated a career to public education and leadership development in Central New York. Service as superintendent of the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District and ongoing work as an adjunct professor at SUNY Oswego reflect a strong focus on student success and academic achievement.
“The board looks forward to welcoming Mr. Noble, Ms. Ottney Mahar and Dr. Smith,” said John Bartow, the chair of the ESF Board of Trustees. “Each brings important perspective that will help support ESF’s mission and continued progress.”
“These appointments bring strong leadership and valuable experience to ESF at an exciting time for the college,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “The continued growth of ESF is driven by a shared commitment to excellence, and these new trustees will help build on that momentum.”
ESF looks ahead with excitement as the institution continues to expand its impact and build on a growing legacy of excellence in education, research, and service.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study, and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.