Mark Templeton

Yesterday, EcoSpeak was forwarded an email from Department of Natural Resources Director Mark Templeton announcing the promotion of two long-time employees. What the memo didn’t say was that three other DNR employees were terminated that created the vacancies the staffers moved into.

Getting the ax were Laverne Brondel, director of administrative services, Alice Geller, director of the field services division and Dan Schuette, director of the division of environmental quality.

We’re still waiting to hear back from DNR as to why these three were let go,  but some longtime department watchers have speculated the dismissals are a consequence of Lake of the Ozarks and E. Coli. Gate.

Or perhaps the move was driven by budgetary concerns - Gov. Jay Nixon did slice $204 million from the state budget this week and the outlook remains gloomy.

We’ll post more as information becomes available, but in the meantime, here’s Templeton’s memo

This morning I am announcing that we have consolidated two of our divisions: the Field Services Division will return to being part of the Division of Environmental Quality.

Effective today, Leanne Tippett-Mosby will begin serving as acting director of DEQ.

Also effective today, Lori Gordon will begin serving as acting director of the Division of Administrative Services.

Leanne and Lori have done great work for many years here at the department, and I look forward to the energy and leadership skills they bring to their new positions. Please join me in congratulating Leanne and Lori and wishing them the best in their new responsibilities.

With these changes, I believe our department is well positioned to fulfill our mission to protect Missouri’s natural resources and do our part to make our state better for our citizens. As always, I thank you for your dedication to the DNR.

Mark

Update - Just spoke to DNR spokesman Travis Ford and - you guessed it - they’re not discussing why these people were terminated. He did refer me back to the last paragraph of Templeton’s memo when asked why the consolidation took place.