Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Nikki Rovner is director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Commonwealth’s leading natural resource conservation agency. DCR oversees Virginia’s state parks, natural areas, outdoor recreation, dam safety, flood resilience and programs that protect land, water and habitat.
Rovner brings decades of experience in environmental policy, government relations and natural resource stewardship. She joined DCR after serving as the associate state director for The Nature Conservancy in Virginia, where she worked to build strong partnerships with state and federal agencies, advance conservation funding and shape policy on land conservation, mitigation mechanisms and climate resilience.
Rovner’s career also includes prior state service as deputy secretary of Natural Resources under Governor Tim Kaine and staff attorney for the Virginia Division of Legislative Services. She has also taught environmental policy at the University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University and received the VMI Erchul Environmental Leadership Award in 2017. She holds a law degree from the University of Richmond and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science from Penn State.
804-786-2289 | nikki.rovner@dcr.virginia.gov
Laura Ellis has served as deputy director for administration and finance at the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation since September 2022. She oversees central office functions supporting agency programs, including financial management, administration, human resources, IT, procurement and risk management.
Her career spans both public and private sectors, with leadership roles in the property and casualty insurance and public utility industries. She has focused on process improvement and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce operational risk. Her expertise in risk management was shaped through roles as risk manager for the City of Charlottesville and DCR, where she applied her background in claims and litigation to public sector strategy.
Ellis holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Mary Washington and multiple professional certifications, including Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Insurance Services (AIS), Associate in Personal Insurance (API) and Virginia Contracting Associate (VCA). She is also a graduate of the Commonwealth Leadership Academy.
804-786-9372 | laura.ellis@dcr.virginia.gov
Sarah Huang Spota was appointed deputy director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in January 2026 and oversees policy and communications. She brings extensive state and federal experience in legislative strategy and budget development, supporting natural and cultural resource protection, economic growth and workforce development. She previously served as deputy director of the Department of Historic Resources and senior advisor to the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources under Governor Glenn Youngkin, where she led initiatives such as the Water Quality Improvement Fund legislative workgroup.
From 2022 to 2024, Spota was deputy secretary of education, advancing policies to support learners at all stages of their life. Her career also includes roles as state government relations director at George Mason University, staff for a former lieutenant governor and district representative for a former majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives. She also served on the board of trustees of the Science Museum of Virginia. Sarah holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Richmond.
804-887-8861 | sarah.spota@dcr.virginia.gov
Frank Stovall joined the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in 2021 as deputy director for operations. He oversees a broad portfolio, including Virginia State Parks, Natural Heritage and Natural Area Preserves, Public Safety and Law Enforcement, Planning and Recreation Resources, Land Conservation and Real Property Management. These programs support 44 state parks and 69 natural area preserves, serving millions of visitors annually while protecting Virginia’s natural and cultural resources. His office also manages key statewide initiatives such as the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Recreational Trails Program.
Stovall has more than 25 years of public service experience, including serving as a park ranger and park manager in the South Carolina State Park Service. He also served as a city manager in upstate South Carolina. Prior to DCR, he was deputy executive director at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history and master’s degrees in education and public administration from Virginia Tech and Clemson University.
804-836-9810 | frank.stovall@dcr.virginia.gov
