The director of the Department of Natural Resources is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Our director and executive staff are responsible for the following:
- Manage the policy and operations of the department through its five divisions
- Improve efficiencies through strategic planning
- Ensure public participation through the decision-making process to make certain the department follows federal and state regulations.
The director serves as the trustee for natural resource damages in Missouri and the state historic preservation officer. The director also serves as a member of the Soil and Water Districts Commission and the Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund Board of Trustees. The department director or designee represents Missouri on three water resources organizations: the Interstate Council on Water Policy, the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee and the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association.
Kurt U. Schaefer, Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Kurt U. Schaefer was named Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in January 2025.
Jake Buxton, Deputy Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Jake Buxton was named Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in January 2025.
Aly Gatwood, Legislative Liaison
Aly Gatwood was named Legislative Liaison for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in January 2025.
Jacob Westen, General Counsel
Jacob Westen was named as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021.
Suzanne McKenna, Deputy General Counsel
Suzanne McKenna was named as Deputy General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in November 2024.
Connie Patterson, Director of Communications
Connie Patterson rejoined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as the Director of Communications in May 2017.
Susan Bloomer, Deputy Director of Communications
Susan Bloomer has served as the department's Deputy Director of Communications since June 2019.
Darcy Bybee, Director of the Division of Administrative Support
Darcy Bybee was named Director of the department's Division of Administrative Support in January 2024.
Sara Pringer, Deputy Director of the Division of Administrative Support
Sara Pringer was named deputy division director of the department's Division of Administrative Support in February 2024.
Emily Wilbur, PE, Director of the Division of Energy
Emily Wilbur, PE, was named Director of the department's Division of Energy in September 2023.
Kyra Moore, Director of the Division of Environmental Quality
Kyra Moore was named Director of the department's Division of Environmental Quality in November 2021.
Art Goodin, Deputy Director of the Division of Environmental Quality
Art Goodin was named a Deputy Director of the department's Division of Environmental Quality in January 2022.
Larry Lehman, Deputy Director of the Division of Environmental Quality
Larry Lehman was named a Deputy Director of the department's Division of Environmental Quality in November 2023.
Carey Bridges, RG, Director of the Missouri Geological Survey
Carey Bridges, RG, was named State Geologist and Director of the department's Missouri Geological Survey in November 2022.
Jerry Prewett, RG, Deputy Director of the Missouri Geological Survey
Jerry Prewett, RG, became the Assistant State Geologist and Deputy Director of the department's Missouri Geological Survey in April 2012.
Chris Wieberg, Deputy Director of the Missouri Geological Survey
Chris Wieberg was named Deputy Director of the department's Missouri Geological Survey in March 2023.
Laura Hendrickson, Director of Missouri State Parks
Laura Hendrickson was named Director of the department's Missouri State Parks in January 2025.
Melanie Smith, Deputy Director of Missouri State Parks
Melanie Smith was named Deputy Director of Resources for the department's Missouri State Parks in October 2024.
Vacant, Deputy Director of Missouri State Parks
This position is currently vacant.