The Colby-Sawyer College Board of Trustees has elected Peter F. Volanakis of Hanover, N.H., as its next chair. He will begin his three-year term of service on July 1, 2016, and succeed Thomas C. Csatari, also of Hanover, who has served as chair since 2011.

Volanakis, who retired as president of Corning Incorporated in 2010, joined the board in 2012. He is chair of the college’s Presidential Search Committee and the Finance and Enrollment Committee, and he also serves on the Board Organization Committee. In the past, he has served on the Academic Affairs and Investment Committees as well as the Admissions Tuition Pricing Policy Group.

“Over the past three years as a trustee, I have developed deep appreciation and respect for the unique role that Colby-Sawyer plays in the New England higher education scene,” said Volanakis. “The faculty, administration and my fellow trustees are all outstanding folks with whom I really enjoy working. One senses a deep pride of association among them, students and alumni. I’m proud to be part of that.”

“Pete will be a fabulous Board chair – he brings intelligence, dedication, incredible leadership experience and a great sense of humor to the position,” said President Thomas C. Galligan Jr. “Pete follows a long line of fantastic chairs, and I am confident he will be among the best we have ever had.”

A dedicated and enthusiastic supporter of Colby-Sawyer outside of the boardroom, Volanakis and his wife, Cathy, have also supported the college with generous gifts to the Colby-Sawyer Fund, the arts building and marketing initiatives.

Volanakis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in economics from Dartmouth College and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Tuck School at Dartmouth. Prior to returning to Dartmouth for his M.B.A., he spent three years in consumer products advertising with the Leo Burnett Company in Chicago. Volanakis is a member of the Advisory Board of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, an emeritus director of the Corning Museum of Glass, a former board member of the SPX Corporation and a former member of the Board of Overseers of the Tuck School.

During his 28 years at Corning, his roles included managing director of Corning Germany; executive vice president of Siecor Corporation, a Corning equity venture; senior vice president of Advance Display Products, Life Sciences, Specialty Materials and Central Engineering; and president of Corning Technologies. In 2000, Volanakis joined the Corning Board of Directors and was named its chief operating officer in 2005 and as president in 2007. His service at Corning also included directorships of the Dow Corning Corporation, the Corning Foundation and the Corning Museum of Glass.

Volanakis currently serves as a director of the Vanguard Group and as a trustee of Vanguard Mutual Funds.