Commissioner and Executive Team

Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton

Amanda Lefton’s diverse career spans the public and private sectors, including previously serving as the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior. Under her leadership, BOEM developed and implemented an ambitious federal offshore wind program creating a new industry of family supporting jobs and generational opportunity. Her collaborative approach brought together various stakeholders to responsibly manage the nation’s critical offshore energy and mineral resources.

Prior to her role as BOEM Director, Lefton served as the First Assistant Secretary for Energy and Environment for New York, where she led the State’s environmental and climate initiatives overseeing a portfolio of executive agencies including the DEC. She has also worked for The Nature Conservancy in New York as the Deputy Policy Director and climate mitigation lead, the Rochester Regional Joint Board of Workers United and the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate. Lefton comes to the DEC from RWE, one of the world's leading players in the offshore wind sector, where she was the Vice President of Offshore Development, U.S. East.

Originally from Queens, she grew up on Long Island and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University at Albany. She now resides in the capital region with her wife and stepchildren.

Executive Deputy Commissioner Sean Mahar

Sean Mahar, a graduate of Siena College, became the Executive Deputy Commissioner in 2022. Prior to this role, Mahar served as the agency’s Chief of Staff, overseeing external agency affairs and operations and guiding implementation of key agency priorities, and Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs. Before joining DEC, Mahar was the Director of Government Relations and Communications for Audubon New York where he led efforts to advance state and federal conservation policies and build support for wildlife conservation initiatives in the state, including climate change adaptation strategies. Mahar was also an adjunct professor at Siena College teaching a course on Environmental Policy and Management.

Chief of Staff Erica Ringewald

Erica Ringewald is DEC's Chief of Staff. Ringewald joined DEC in 2016 as Director of Media Relations before becoming Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs in 2018. As Chief of Staff, Ringewald helps manage agency priorities, particularly strategic responses to emerging issues and challenges by tapping regional, policy, counsel, and congressional and legislative affairs staff to expedite and harmonize outcomes and safeguard New York's natural resources. She works closely with advocates, regulatory and technical staff, and division directors to design outreach and communications campaigns to achieve goals and maximize available resources. Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, Ringewald managed DEC's external communications and outreach. Before joining DEC, Ringewald helped manage media relations at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, worked as an independent consultant to not-for-profit organizations and foundations, and served as Communications Director for Environmental Advocates of New York. As Deputy Commissioner, Ringewald helped transform DEC's Press Office into one of the strongest communications operations in the state. She holds a M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Colorado State University and a B.A. in English Literature from Indiana University.

Additional Executive Staff

A full listing of all Deputy Commissioners and their program responsibilities can be found in the Executive Offices section on DEC's Program Directory webpage, along with an Executive organization chart (PDF).