UPDATE: Missouri DNR director Schaefer appointed as OA commissioner

By Zimmer Communications
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Missouri’s governor has appointed state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director Kurt Schaefer as the next Office of Administration (OA) commissioner, effective next Friday September 4.

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Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director Kurt Schaefer, left, with Governor Mike Kehoe at the Callaway nuclear plant near Mokane (July 1, 2026 photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

Longtime OA commissioner Ken Zellers is retiring next week. Governor Mike Kehoe praises Director Schaefer and says he’s well-respected. The governor says Mr. Schaefer’s experience in both the public and private sectors will serve him well in the new role.

Governor Kehoe says Director Schaefer has emphasized efficiency, communication and stakeholder engagement at DNR and says he’s confident he’ll do that at OA as well.

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Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director Kurt Schaefer and others at Mizzou’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Radioisotope Science Center in south Columbia (May 14, 2026 photo courtesy of Missouri DNR Twitter)

Mr. Schaefer will need to be confirmed by the Missouri Senate during September’s veto session. Mr. Schaefer served as a state senator for eight years and was involved in the bipartisan Mamtek investigation in Moberly. He also chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee for eight years.