JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Governor-Elect Mike Kehoe announced today the appointment of Kurt Schaefer as Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Schaefer will assume the role of DNR Director effective January 13, 2025, and await Missouri Senate confirmation.
“I am proud to have Kurt on our team as we work to make our state agencies more efficient and effective,” said Governor-Elect Kehoe. “Kurt holds valuable experience in both the private sector and state government, and I have full confidence that he will be an excellent leader at the Department of Natural Resources.”
With a legal career spanning nearly three decades, Schaefer has worked with governmental entities at every level, including all branches of government, state agencies, numerous boards and citizen commissions, and political organizations.
As the State Senator for Missouri’s 19th Senate District, Schaefer served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee for six years, composing and passing a balanced state budget.
“I’m honored by Governor-Elect Kehoe’s confidence in me to serve Missourians at DNR,” Schaefer said. “I look forward to carrying on the department’s mission of efficient and sustainable management of Missouri’s natural resources, protection of human health and the environment, and the development of comprehensive energy policy.”
Previously, Schaefer served as General Counsel and Deputy Director of DNR. He oversaw the emergency response, environmental remediation and cleanup of the destruction caused by the Taum Sauk Reservoir failure in December 2005, and was lead counsel in negotiating settlement for the State’s natural resource damages and park restoration of Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, valued in excess of $170 million. He also served as lead counsel for the department in negotiating state and federally required sewer infrastructure capital improvements with the City of Kansas City and the St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District, valued in excess of $3 billion and $4.2 billion, respectively.
Schaefer also worked as a Special Criminal Prosecutor at the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, working closely with local elected prosecutors and law enforcement. He counseled and represented the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Department of Public Safety, Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control, and Department of Natural Resources in civil litigation in state and federal courts.
Schaefer earned a Juris Doctor and a Master Studies of Environmental Law from Vermont Law School, and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Missouri. He and his wife have three adult children and reside in Boone County. A headshot of Schaefer is attached.
The Office of Governor-Elect will continue to announce Cabinet member appointments in the coming weeks. Those interested in serving in the Kehoe Administration may visit Governor-Elect.mo.gov to submit an application to serve in the administration or on a board or commission.
