1 Person Appointed, 1 Reappointed to Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has named two people to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission, the state’s Fish and Wildlife Department announced Jan. 13.

Tim Ragen has been re-appointed to the Commission in a Western Washington position. Ragen, who lives in Skagit County, is retired from a career in marine mammal research, including serving as the former executive director of the Marine Mammal Commission.

He was first appointed to the Commission in January 2022 and has been its vice chair since 2024.

“I am excited to continue to serve on the Fish and Wildlife Commission,” Ragen said. “It has been an honor to work on fish and wildlife conservation and serve the people of Washington. I also want to welcome the new commissioner—we have a lot of work ahead, and I am ready to dig into the issues.”

In addition, Lynn O’Connor has appointed to an Eastern Washington position. O’Connor, a resident of Ferry County in northeast Washington, founded and ran the Colville Sign Company in Colville for 20 years and worked as a park aide and ranger for several years.

The newly-filled Eastern Washington positions was previously held by Molly Linville, who served as the Commission’s Habitat Committee Chair. She served on the Fish and Wildlife Commission since 2019.

The Commission is a panel that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. It’s a nine-person citizen panel appointed by the governor to set policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

It’s 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, with appointees subject to confirmation by the state Senate. Members are official upon appointment and serve as voting members while awaiting Senate confirmation.