Jake Buxton was named director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in August 2026. He previously served as deputy department director since January 2025.
Jake supports the department director in building the agency to achieve its mission of serving as a steward of Missouri’s natural resources, and achieving a vision of managing Missouri’s natural resources to build a lasting legacy for future generations. As director, he oversees the department’s Division of Environmental Quality, Division of State Parks, the Missouri Geological Survey, Division of Energy and the Division of Administrative Support. Jake has built strong relationships with Missouri’s conservation and natural resources communities as well as with local governments, elected leaders and stakeholders in agriculture, business and non-profits throughout his career. He has worked in the Governor’s Office and also as a legislative liaison for the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Jake holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Truman State University.