Ferguson appoints Molly Linville, Jim Anderson and Victor Garcia to WDFW

[Bushcraft]

https://governor.wa.gov/news/2025/governor-ferguson-appoints-molly-linville-jim-anderson-and-victor-garcia-washington-department-fish

OLYMPIA – Governor Bob Ferguson announced today the reappointments of Molly Linville and Jim Anderson and the appointment of Victor Garcia to serve on the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Commission. The three appointees will begin serving as Commissioners immediately while they await confirmation by the Washington state Senate.

The three appointments come after Governor Ferguson requested the Senate return two appointments by Gov. Jay Inslee that were still pending Senate approval. The Senate unanimously approved sending the appointments back.

The governor made this request in light of the Ruckelshaus report, and outreach from multiple individuals, entities, and tribes in order to conduct a thorough appointment process and carefully evaluate all eligible candidates. After the Senate agreed to call back the appointments, the governor had 60 days to offer new ones.

The Ruckelshaus report raised several concerns about the commission, including the appointment process. From the report: “Many referred to the Commission as being dysfunctional, politically polarized, and caught up in conflict. When asked how to address these issues, some proposed eliminating the Commission and moving to an entirely new governance structure.”

The nine-member Fish & Wildlife Commission establishes policies to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities. These policies must be compatible with healthy and diverse fish and wildlife populations. The commission’s governor-appointed members serve six-year terms. The commission holds meetings and hearings around the state and offers opportunities for the public to weigh in on fish and wildlife issues.

Garcia, an educator and former commercial fisherman, is new to the commission. Linville, a rancher and wildlife biologist, and Anderson, who has worked in natural resources for four decades, have previously served on the commission.

“Molly, Jim and Victor offer deep and varied experience, as well as unique perspectives to the Fish & Wildlife Commission,” Ferguson said. “The Ruckelshaus report raised serious concerns about the commission, and we believe these individuals will help to address those issues.”

Governor Ferguson chose today’s appointees after an extensive interview process, utilizing a diverse interview panel to evaluate all of the 14 eligible individuals who applied for the Commission over the past year.


About the appointees

Anderson has worked in natural resources for the past four decades, including working with two Indian Tribes prior to his time with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. He was originally appointed to the commission in July of 2019. He graduated from Washington State University in 1974 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and earned a master’s degree in the same in 1978. Anderson is an active fisher, hunter and outdoor recreationalist.

Garcia has taught AP Biology and other science courses for several Washington school districts, including Anacortes, Mount Vernon and Ocosta. After growing up in Grays Harbor, he also worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and a field biologist on both coasts. He has a bachelor’s degree in marine zoology from the University of Washington and a master’s in science education from Vanderbilt University.

Linville was also originally appointed to the commission in July of 2019. She is a Douglas County rancher and farmer from a fifth-generation wheat and barley farm near Reardan in Lincoln County. She holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology from the University of Montana and worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a wildlife biologist and a wildlife refuge manager. She began a master’s program at Washington State University before taking over a 100-year-old, 6,000-acre cattle ranch near Wenatchee with her husband David after her father-in-law’s death.

[WSU]

Am I reading this right?  This sounds like a real good thing?!

[high_hunter]

Dang, sounds like good news for sure. Glad to hear about Linville and Anderson! 

[Jake Dogfish]

Wow!  I don’t know anything about the new guy, but it’s great to get Linville back and Anderson re-appointed. 

[Bushcraft]

Am I reading this right?  This sounds like a real good thing?!

Correct.  You're not hallucinating. 

[MADMAX]

I’m hoping it’s a good thing

[WSU]

Am I reading this right?  This sounds like a real good thing?!

Correct.  You're not hallucinating. 

I was honestly second guessing myself and wondering if these were different people.  Good news!

[Sundance]

This is a huge win for hunters, anglers, and trappers. Congrats to those who were reappointed and new. Now we wait for December 2026, those two seats need to be flipped in a bad way. Things are looking better, and if the selection team from the governors office was any indication, we are going to keep improving in the years to come.

[dwils233]

Downright giddy over his choices here, especially considering the alternatives. Don't know Victor, but if he's got an American Water Spaniel, he's gotta have some hunting cred. That's not a dog I've ever seen outside the hunting community

[Rainier10]

Great news.

[jackelope]

Fantastic news.

[actionshooter]

 This has been taking a 180* turn from where we were heading.....  at this rate we might even get spring bear back in a couple years!   

[Moose Master]

So Ferguson needs a "Thank you " card. 

And yes I being serious

[WoolyRunner]

So Ferguson needs a "Thank you " card. 

And yes I being serious

I know! I’m actually speechless.

[fishngamereaper]

Id probably thank the tribes before Ferguson.

It's a good start at re balancing...got a little ways to go ..

Sundance... hopefully you made an impression.

[hunter399]

So Ferguson needs a "Thank you " card. 

And yes I being serious

I know! I’m actually speechless.

Shocker for sure.
Great news👍

[teal101]

Between this and not approving the horrible budget proposals Ferguson is on a roll. Can't believe I'm actually saying that

[ghosthunter]

Between this and not approving the horrible budget proposals Ferguson is on a roll. Can't believe I'm actually saying that

Yeah

Now if he turn downs those pending gun laws, I might have to slap myself.

[TriggerMike]

I think hell has frozen over?

Ferguson is showing just how bad Inslee truly was.

Thank the Tribes for this one! They're still our only hope in the future. Too bad these 3 weren't in place last week when they adopted the predator hunting rules. Maybe they can address these things over the next 4 years. I haven't been hopeful about or hunting and fishing for a long time but this is a huge step toward bringing sanity back.

More hatchery funding next hopefully!!

[Sundance]

Id probably thank the tribes before Ferguson.

It's a good start at re balancing...got a little ways to go ..

Sundance... hopefully you made an impression.

I’m already looking forward to the next selection process in 26/27 when three more seats are up for replacement/reappointment.

100% that the tribes of Washington state had a major influence on this selection process, that was made very clear to me through the interview process. Everyone here needs to understand that co-management with the tribes is the most effective way to restore our states wildlife in a way that benefits everyone. The governor understands this, and we need to support it. The opposition wants to divide us, but they are on the defensive now that we in the outdoor communities have a more unified approach with the sovereign nations.

Ferguson has been a pleasant surprise, and I’m hopeful that our state is moving in a more fair and balanced direction that we haven’t seen for many years. It’s not time to take our foot of the gas yet, but the outlook is better and we should celebrate this win.

[Bushcraft]

Id probably thank the tribes before Ferguson.

It's a good start at re balancing...got a little ways to go ..

Sundance... hopefully you made an impression.

I’m already looking forward to the next selection process in 26/27 when three more seats are up for replacement/reappointment.

100% that the tribes of Washington state had a major influence on this selection process, that was made very clear to me through the interview process. Everyone here needs to understand that co-management with the tribes is the most effective way to restore our states wildlife in a way that benefits everyone. The governor understands this, and we need to support it. The opposition wants to divide us, but they are on the defensive now that we in the outdoor communities have a more unified approach with the sovereign nations.

Ferguson has been a pleasant surprise, and I’m hopeful that our state is moving in a more fair and balanced direction that we haven’t seen for many years. It’s not time to take our foot of the gas yet, but the outlook is better and we should celebrate this win.

The tribes nearly always have a major influence on the Dept.  So do...others.  The mechanics of getting this accomplished were a joy to observe.  Time to really drop the hammer though! 

[bearpaw]

I had written off hunting in Washington in the future, I see some light in the end of the tunnel now! I have to admit Ferguson has been a surprise.

[baldopepper]

So far it appears to me Ferguson is much more open minded and willing to listen to everyone involved in his decision making. I hope he continues in that direction. Inslees idealism seemed to always get in the way of reality.

[Angry Perch]

I've been holding my tongue, but he has shown a good amount of restraint and common sense so far. Fingers crossed.

[Rainier10]

I think both linville and Anderson have been great in the past at listening to all the information and then making sound decisions based on that information. I haven’t always agreed with their decisions but do feel like they are making what they think is the best choice. They don’t seem agenda driven.

I will also say that I have been pleasantly surprised by fergy. He is way better than Jay.

[Fatherof5]

While I'm grateful for these appointments and the other victories hunters have gotten recently. I am hesitant to get my hopes up. Gov. Ferguson is an intelligent politician and maybe I'm to cynical, but I wonder if he's playing it safe since this is his first term as governor. 

[Ridgeratt]

Perhaps he is following the adage about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer.

[baldopepper]

Seems like he's marching to his own beat. He won the election by such a huge margin I don't think he's too worried about a few marginal votes either way.

[Bushcraft]

Seems like he's marching to his own beat. He won the election by such a huge margin I don't think he's too worried about a few marginal votes either way.

He's not dumb.  Running for the Senate is more difficult than winning the Governor's seat. 

[hunter100]

This is exciting. I think a thank you to Ferguson and some voicing of ongoing concern over Lorna Smith is in order!

That way if she acts up it will be fresh on his mind! We may as well dream right?

[GWP]

I read a couple articles that the major party in this State are not particularly happy with Mr Ferguson so far.
This is good news for hunters. Let us hope the trend continues.

[lewy]

Inslee went home to a wife every night who owned his bitch ass and hated everything sportsman, He was heavily influenced in the wrong direction. Terd may be a lib tard but he isn’t hearing anti hunting bs every night.

[haus]

Seems like he's marching to his own beat. He won the election by such a huge margin I don't think he's too worried about a few marginal votes either way.

He's not dumb.  Running for the Senate is more difficult than winning the Governor's seat. 

^This makes the most sense. Can see the political winds shifting so he’s adjusting towards center.

[Bushcraft]

It's just so beautiful...

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/more-details-on-newest-washington-fish-and-wildlife-commission-member-emerge/

[Boss .300 winmag]

It's just so beautiful...

https://nwsportsmanmag.com/more-details-on-newest-washington-fish-and-wildlife-commission-member-emerge/

👍

[elkboy]

Seems like a great pick for the commission!

[ganghis]

I'm an independent that voted for Reichert without question.  But, I'm very pleasantly surprised by Ferguson on multiple fronts.  I'm sure there will be some that give him crap no matter what he does, but it's hard to argue that he's moved in the right direction on fish & wildlife issues.  He could have easily gone on the Inslee "I'm right all the time" platform but he didn't.

[nwwanderer]

Bob has the talk but can he walk.  Very worried about his math skills, said that cutting 4 billion was about half of 14.