Syracuse, N.Y. – Mayor Ben Walsh will start a new job in February as director of the state Canal Corp., which oversees New York’s canal system, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced today. His salary will be $215,000.
Walsh, 46, will oversee tourism, recreation and economic development efforts along the state’s four historic canals — the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga–Seneca – which traverse a combined 524 miles. He will be based in Syracuse.
Hochul said Walsh achieved significant progress as mayor of Syracuse, where he worked with state officials on projects like Interstate 81, the STEAM school and the redevelopment of Syracuse Developmental Center.
“His experience driving collaboration and transformative growth will be an asset as we move into the historic canal system’s third century,’’ Hochul said.
The Canal Corp. is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, which oversees state-owned electric generation and transmission facilities. The corporation has 537 employees and an operating budget of about $117 million, according to its 2026 budget.
Walsh said he looks forward to managing the canal system’s infrastructure, which includes 57 locks and 17 lift bridges, and to promoting recreation and tourism.
“I’ve really grown to enjoy being an executive and managing, you know, a large enterprise and the people and places that come along with it,’’ he said.
Walsh will replace Brian Stratton, who has held the job since 2011 and recently announced plans to retire this month. Stratton is a former mayor of Schenectady.
Staff writer Tim Knauss can be reached at:email|Twitter| 315-470-3023.