Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced the appointment of Kurt U. Schaefer as commissioner of the Missouri Office of Administration (OA). Schaefer currently serves as director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), a position he has held since the start of the Kehoe administration.
"I appreciate Kurt's willingness to step into this role and continue his service to Missourians at the Office of Administration," said Governor Kehoe. "Kurt is a well-respected and valuable member of the Cabinet, and his background and experience in both the public and private sectors will serve him well as takes on the work ahead. At DNR, Kurt has led efforts to make efficiency, communication, and stakeholder engagement top of mind for his entire team, strengths which I am confident he will bring to OA."
Schaefer will assume the role of OA commissioner effective September 4, 2026, and awaits Missouri Senate confirmation.
"I would like to thank Governor Kehoe for this opportunity,” said Schaefer. “I look forward to working closely with the members of the legislature and the Office of Administration team to tackle the challenges facing OA and to find solutions that are efficient, flexible, innovative, and accountable.”
Schaefer’s legal career has spanned three decades and includes working with the judicial, legislative, and executive branches of government as well as state agencies, numerous boards, and citizen commissions. He is a former partner of the Lathrop GPM, LLP, law firm where he practiced law for over 20 years. Schaefer is also the former state Senator from Boone County, during which time he served with then-Senator Kehoe and chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee for six years. Schaefer is a former assistant Missouri attorney general, special assistant US attorney, and deputy director and general counsel for DNR.
Schaefer earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Missouri, and a Juris Doctor and a Master Studies of Environmental Law from the Vermont Law School. A headshot of Schaefer is attached here.
###