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, the state historic preservation officer and chair of the State Interagency Council for Outdoor Recreation. 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.
Dru Buntin, Director, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Dru Buntin was named Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in August 2021.
Hannah Humphrey, Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Hannah Humphrey was named Deputy Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in November 2021.
TJ Graven, Legislative Liaison
TJ Graven was named Legislative Liaison for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in January 2022.
Jacob Westen, General Counsel
Jacob Westen was named as General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021.
Rebecca McKinstry, Deputy General Counsel
Rebecca McKinstry was named as Deputy General Counsel for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in March 2021.
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.
David Kelly, Director of Missouri State Parks
David Kelly was named Director of the department's Missouri State Parks in September 2021.
Laura Hendrickson, Deputy Director of Missouri State Parks
Laura Hendrickson was named Deputy Director of Operations for the department's Missouri State Parks in October 2021.
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.