About Conservation Commissioners
Per the Constitution of Missouri, Section 40(a):
- There are four members appointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than two of whom shall be of the same political party.
- They shall have knowledge of and interest in wildlife conservation.
- They serve a term of six years beginning on the first day of July of consecutive odd years.
- They receive no salary or other compensation, but get reimbursed for travel and other expenses.
What do Conservation Commissioners do?
- Appoint the director of MDC.
- Serve as MDC’s policy makers.
- Approve Wildlife Code regulations.
- Strategic planning.
- Budget development and major expenditure decisions.
Title
Margaret F. (Margy) Eckelkamp, Washington, Chair
Republican — term expires July 1, 2027
Margaret F. (Margy) Eckelkamp is a communicator and journalist with an emphasis in agriculture and technology. She is the editor of The Scoop for the Farm Journal. Eckelkamp serves as a mentor and network member for AgLaunch, a technology accelerator, and for Missouri State University's Missouri Small Business Development Center.
She is a graduate of the University of Missouri at Columbia with a degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics. She is a member and past chair of the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, has earned the Mid America Crop Life Association's Ruth White Media Award, and was selected as a Mizzou '39 recipient, which recognizes the top 39 MU students in their class.
Eckelkamp brings her personal passion for conservation, as well as her professional background in agriculture and communications, to help the Commission and MDC in the work we do. She lives in Washington, Mo., with her husband and two children.
Title
Raymond T. (Ray) Wagner Jr., Town and Country, Vice-Chair
Republican – term expires July 1, 2029
Raymond T. (Ray) Wagner Jr. has been an avid outdoorsman all his life, actively supporting conservation issues. He serves on the board of directors for the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation and is active with the Great River Habitat Alliance. He is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association, Ducks Unlimited, and a member of Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever.
Wagner is a senior advisor in the Office of Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Previously, he was senior vice president of global government and public affairs for Enterprise Holdings, chief legal counsel to Missouri Governor John Ashcroft, the Missouri Director of Revenue, and an attorney in private practice.
Wagner holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, a Master of Laws degree from Washington University, and an MBA and Bachelor of Arts in political science from Saint Louis University. He was an adjunct professor of law at Washington University.
Title
Edward C. Clausen, Centertown, Member
Mr. Clausen is a partner at Newman, Comley and Ruth P.C., specializing in defending medical malpractice claims. Clausen is an active member of several organizations, including the Conservation Federation of Missouri, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He previously served on the board of directors for the Friends of the Eleven Point River. Clausen earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law.
Title
Frank H.B. Kruse, Smithville, Member
Mr. Kruse is the president of Martin Hill Advisors. He previously served as the vice-president of business development and marketing for Sekisui XenoTech LLC. Kruse is a member of several conservation organizations, including the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Johnny Morris Institute of Fisheries. He previously served as an international marketing representative for the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Kruse holds a master’s degree in economics from North Carolina State University.