About the Director
Susan Buxton has served as the Director of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation since September 1, 2020. She was a member of the Idaho Park and Recreation Board, providing policy guidance for the department from 2012 to 2016.
Before coming to IDPR, Ms. Buxton was the Administrator of the Idaho Division of Human Resources, initially appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter in 2016 and reappointed by Governor Brad Little in 2019.
Prior to joining state government, Ms. Buxton enjoyed a varied and successful legal career representing government and private clients in matters of law in the areas of natural resources, water, environment, real estate, land use, municipal finance, public works procurement and construction, contracts, business, employment, government relations, litigation, and outdoor recreation. Ms. Buxton was a founding shareholder of the law firm Moore Smith Buxton & Turcke. She is licensed to practice law in the state and federal courts of Idaho and Oregon and is also a member of the Federal Court of Claims and 9th Circuit bars. She is a graduate of Whitman College and the University of Idaho College of Law.
Ms. Buxton and her husband live in Boise, ID, with their two dogs. Away from the office, Susan’s leisure interests include skiing, hiking, boating, birdwatching, photography, Washington State University football and Whitman College basketball.