Missouri Governor appoints Jake Buxton and Kurt Schaefer to state leadership roles

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe has announced several leadership changes within state departments. Jake Buxton, the current deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), has been appointed to serve as the new director of the DNR, effective September 4, 2026, pending Missouri Senate confirmation.

Additionally, Kurt Schaefer has been named the new commissioner of the Office of Administration. Schaefer succeeds Kenneth Zellers, who is retiring on September 4. Schaefer brings extensive legal experience to the role, having served as a former state senator, assistant Missouri attorney general, and deputy director and general counsel for the DNR.