Governor announces two appointments to Fish and Wildlife Commission

Gov. Jay Inslee has appointed fishing columnist Dave Graybill and retired public health physician Kim Thorburn to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

The commission is a nine-member citizen panel that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Members are appointed by the governor to six-year terms and are subject to state Senate confirmation. Three members must reside in eastern Washington, three in western Washington, and three may live anywhere in the state. No two members may live in the same county.

"We're extremely pleased to welcome these great additions to the commission," said Brad Smith, commission chair. "These are two strong individuals and we are looking forward to seeing their perspectives brought to the table."

The governor appointed Graybill, also known as the Fishin' Magician, to a term ending Dec. 31, 2020. Graybill, an avid angler who lives in Leavenworth, writes sport fishing columns for Washington newspapers and has a regular radio broadcast. A long-time Washington resident, Graybill participates in several outdoors organizations, including the Icicle Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Coastal Conservation Association. He also has served on the Columbia River Salmon and Steelhead Endorsement Board. Graybill is a graduate of the University of Washington. The governor appointed Graybill to succeed Rollie Schmitten, of Leavenworth, who did not seek re-appointment when his term expired at the beginning of this year.

Inslee also appointed Thorburn, of Spokane, to fill a vacant eastern Washington position that runs through 2016. Thorburn has degrees from Stanford University and the University of California at San Francisco. She previously worked as a professor of medicine for the University of Hawaii, as the director for Spokane Regional Health District and, most recently, as the medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Inland Northwest. Thorburn has held offices for the Spokane Audubon Society and Washington Ornithological Society and was the recipient of WDFW's 2010 Volunteer of the Year award for her efforts to help bring sage grouse and sharp-tailed grouse back to Lincoln County.