WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT -- Jay Holzmiller, a longtime resident of Anatone in Asotin County, has been appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee to an Eastern Washington position on the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Holzmiller will succeed Chuck Perry of Moses Lake, whose term expired.

The governor is looking into making two more appointments to fill vacancies on the nine-member citizen panel that sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, a staff spokeswoman said.

Holzmiller, 56, is an equipment operator for the Asotin County Public Works Department who also raises livestock at his home in Anatone. For nearly two decades he has been involved in conservation, land use, and the preservation of fish and wildlife. He is a longtime hunter and a 1975 graduate of Anatone High School.

The commission is a  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.

"Jay's knowledge and experience will enable him to make a significant contribution to the commission as it promotes the conservation of fish and wildlife and the economic vitality of local communities that depend on outdoor-related commerce and recreation," Inslee said.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jay to the commission, and we look forward to benefitting from his skills and perspectives," said Miranda Wecker, commission chair.

Holzmiller has been a member of the Asotin County Conservation District, the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board, and the Asotin County Shorelines Committee. He helped form the Blue Mountain Fire District and has served the district as a volunteer firefighter. In addition, he chaired the committee that developed the Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Asotin, Garfield and Columbia counties.

The commission's next meeting is scheduled Aug. 2-3 in Olympia.