John S. Dyson, vice chairman of the New York Power Authority, has resigned from his position only a year and a half into his term, according to a fellow trustee.

According to sources close to the Power Authority and in state government, Mr. Dyson resigned over the weekend to return to his business and personal life. He was not forced out, they said.

“I’m sorry to see him leave the board,” said Eugene L. Nicandri, a NYPA trustee and retired judge from Massena. “In the 18 months that he’s been back on the board, he’s headed up a lot of issues and got them accomplished. I think he’ll be missed, with his experience and guidance. I got along well with him and I’m just sorry to see him get off the board.”

Mr. Nicandri declined to elaborate on the contents of Mr. Dyson’s resignation letter, which is effective sometime in August, he said. NYPA, a state authority, oversees several power-generation facilities in the state, including its hydropower facility in Massena. It also doles out millions in economic development grants to companies in the state.

Mr. Dyson could not be reached to comment. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo makes appointments to the board, which are then voted on by the state Senate.

The chairman of investment firm Millbrook Capital Management and the owner of a Hudson Valley winery, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Mr. Dyson has a long history in state government and politics. He was chairman of the NYPA board from 1979 to 1985.

When Mr. Cuomo nominated him to the board of trustees in early 2011, some believed Mr. Dyson eventually would become the authority’s chairman, but in May, Mr. Cuomo tapped Buffalo businessman John R. Koelmel to head the authority’s governing board.

Mr. Dyson was upbeat about Mr. Koelmel’s selection to head the authority in a June 26 news release announcing Mr. Koelmel’s ascension, citing his “demonstrated leadership.”

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