Governor Parson has announced Dru Buntin as the next director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Buntin has served as acting director of the Department since June 2021.
At the announcement press conference, Buntin thanked the Governor and said he was humbled and honored to accept the appointment. He said he was going to focus on:
1. Using compliance assistance to carry out the mission of the Department;
2. Infrastructure improvements, including drinking water, flood protection, etc.;
3. Working with state and federal partners to increase investment in Missouri; and
4. More open communication with partners.
Buntin joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as deputy director in May 2017, after serving as executive director for the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMBRA) for four years.
Prior to his time with the UMRBA, he was deputy director for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources from 2009 to 2012.
Since rejoining the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in 2017, Dru has led the agency on important river-related issues, including drought relief and flood recovery. He was also instrumental in leading the department’s Red Tape Reduction efforts, which reduced the regulatory burden on Missouri businesses and citizens.