Scott A. Kingsley, a Potsdam native, has been named president and chief executive officer of NBT Bancorp Inc. while Annette L. Burns, a Brasher Falls native, has assumed the title of executive vice president and chief financial officer at NBT.

Kingsley succeeds John H. Watt, Jr. as NBT’s 15th President and Chief Executive Officer. Kingsley was also elected to NBT’s Board of Directors. Watt will continue to serve on the Board and has been named Vice Chairman. 

Kingsley, a Potsdam High School graduate, joined NBT in 2021 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He has more than 35 years of experience, including 16 years as a member of the management team at Community Bank System, Inc., where he served as Chief Operating Officer and, prior to that, as Chief Financial Officer. Kingsley started his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP before joining the Carlisle Companies, Inc., a publicly traded global manufacturer and distributor, where he served in financial and operational leadership roles. A Certified Public Accountant, Kingsley earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Clarkson University. He is an active community advocate, volunteer and fundraiser. He currently serves on the Crouse Health Foundation Board of Trustees and the Audit and Finance Committee for the Catholic Diocese of Syracuse and was previously Chair of the Board of Directors of the Food Bank of Central New York.

Burns, a graduate of St. Lawrence Central School, joined NBT in 2013 with the Company’s acquisition of Alliance Bancorp. A Certified Public Accountant, she has 30 years of experience in accounting and finance. She started her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP and advanced to Business Assurance Manager. After joining NBT, she served as Corporate Controller and Senior Corporate Controller before promotion to her most recent role as Chief Accounting Officer. She also served as Interim Chief Financial Officer in 2021 before Kingsley joined the Company. Burns earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Bonaventure University. She serves as a board member and treasurer for the United Way of Mid Rural New York and is a past board member of the Chenango Arts Council.