Anderson, Linville re-appointed, one new commissioner appointed to Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission

OLYMPIA – Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has re-appointed two returning members and appointed one new member to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. 

Molly Linville was re-appointed and fills one Eastern Washington position. Jim Anderson was also re-appointed and fills an At-large position. 

A longtime commercial fisherman and educator, Victor Garcia is newly appointed and fills a Western Washington seat.

This follows a Washington State Senate vote to rescind Gov. Jay Inslee’s January 2025 appointments for two positions on the Commission. Refer to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) prior news release for more information about Gov. Inslee’s January 2025 appointments. 

“I’m pleased to see my colleagues back with us on the Commission and excited for the new perspective that new membership brings,” said Barbara Baker, Commission Chair. “I look forward to the work we’ll be able to accomplish together on behalf of fish and wildlife conservation in Washington state.” 

Linville is a cattle rancher out of Douglas County, a member of the Washington Cattlemen’s Association, and grew up hunting and fishing in Washington. Linville served on the Fish and Wildlife Commission from 2019 to 2024, previously held the Habitat Committee Chair position, and is a former member of WDFW’s Wolf Advisory Group. Linville is also a former wildlife biologist with experience working on federally threatened and endangered wildlife species topics. 

Anderson has served on the Commission since July 2019. Anderson has worked for 35 years in professional natural resource management. He was the Executive Director of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission from 1985 to 2005, before retiring in 2010.

Having grown up in Grays Harbor, Garcia taught science classes in Anacortes, Mount Vernon, and Ocosta school districts and worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. He went to University of Washington for a bachelor’s degree in marine zoology and Vanderbilt University for a master’s degree in science education.

The Commission is comprised of three members from Western Washington, three from Eastern Washington, and three “at-large” members who may reside anywhere in the state. No two Commission members can reside in the same county.

Commissioners are appointed to six-year terms. Appointees are subject to confirmation by the state Senate, which is currently in session. However, members are official upon appointment and serve as voting members on the Commission while awaiting Senate confirmation.

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is a panel appointed by the governor that sets policy for WDFW. WDFW works to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.