NBT Bancorp Inc. (NBT) announced that, effective May 21, 2024, John H. Watt, Jr. will step down as NBT?s President. Watt will continue to serve on the Board of Directors and be named Vice Chairman in May. In that capacity, he will provide strategic support for NBT?s Upstate New York Semiconductor Chip Corridor initiatives.

In addition, he will continue as an Advisor to the Company through year end. Watt was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of NBT and NBT Bank, N.A. and became a member of the company?s Board of Directors in 2016. After engaging in a 10-month process, NBT?s Board of Directors unanimously approved a succession plan that provides for the promotion of Scott A. Kingsley to succeed Watt as President of NBT.

Kingsley, who is currently NBT?s Chief Financial Officer, will be appointed to the company?s Board of Directors when he assumes his new role on May 21, 2024. Kingsley joined NBT in 2021. 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., where he served in financial and operational leadership roles. A Certified Public Accountant, Kingsley earned his bachelor?s degree in accounting at Clarkson University.