New Department of Conservation Director named

The Conservation Commission has named current head of the Department of Natural Resources, Sara Parker Pauley, to replace Robert Ziehmer, who resigned in July to work in the private sector. She is the first female director in the Conservation Department’s 79-year history.

Since December 2010, Pauley has served as the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. She has previously worked as a project manager for D.J. Case & Associates, a natural resources communications firm. From 2001 to 2005, Pauley served as the deputy director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. She also served as chief of staff to former Missouri House Speaker Steve Gaw.

Pauley is a Columbia native, and is a graduate of the University of Missouri – Columbia.