Two new Commissioners were officially appointed. Their bios are already up on the Commission website (also listed below). Larry is still listed on the website although details on his current term haven’t been updated. Graybill is not listed - it appears an eastside position needs to be filled.



Lorna Smith, WDFW Commission

(Western Washington position)

Occupation: Retired, Executive Director, Western Wildlife Outreach (WWO)

Current Term: 1/4/2021 - 12/31/2026



Lorna Smith was appointed to the Commission in January, 2021. A graduate of Evergreen College, she served as Snohomish County lead environmental supervisor from 1986-2007 specializing in ESA, NEPA, SEPA, the Clean Water Act and other environmental laws. She has served as faculty for several Continuing Legal Education seminars on environmental compliance. Following her time at Snohomish County, she and her biologist husband, Darrell Smith, spent four years in Costa Rica working on habitat projects and establishment of a new national park.



A 5th generation Washingtonian whose family lived in coastal WA and OR before statehood, Smith grew up on the saltwater. She comes from a long line of lighthouse keepers, hunters, fishers and boaters. The Smith’s rural home in Jefferson County overlooks Discovery Bay, Protection Island and the Dungeness Lighthouse where her grandparents were stationed. As one of two coalition leads, Smith received a national conservation award for her work with WDFW, USFWS and Washington’s congressional delegation to establish Protection Island National Wildlife Refuge, home to tens of thousands of nesting seabirds. Smith also received recognition from WDFW for her years of service on the Department’s Non-game and Lands Advisory Committees. She has also served on WDFW ad-hoc advisory committees focused on large carnivores.



Appointed by the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Smith is currently serving her second and third terms on the Jefferson County Planning Commission and the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Oversight Committee.



As volunteer Executive Director for the nonprofit Western Wildlife Outreach (WWO). WWO has frequently partnered with WDFW, USFWS, the Woodland Park Zoo, Cabela’s and other organizations to produce outreach and education materials and to give community presentations promoting steps for people to take to ensure that wildlife, people and their domestic animals can safely coexist.



Fred Koontz, WDFW Commission

(At-Large position, King County)

Occupation: Retired, Vice President of Field Conservation, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle

Current Term: 1/4/2021 - 12/31/2026



Fred Koontz was appointed to the Commission in January 2021. Dr. Koontz retired in 2017 after a 35-year career in wildlife conservation.



After receiving a Ph.D. in Zoology, Fred worked for 15 years at the Wildlife Conservation Society, where he help manage the mammal collection at the Bronx Zoo, conducted research and served on many committees of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. Subsequent positions included Executive Vice President at Wildlife Trust (now EcoHealth Alliance); Executive Director at Teatown, a New York environmental center; and Vice President of Field Conservation at Woodland Park Zoo.



Fred has assisted on wildlife projects in the U.S., Latin America, Africa and Asia. For example, recovery of endangered Western pond turtles in Washington state; reintroducing howler monkeys into the Cockscomb Basin, Belize; satellite tracking forest elephants in Cameroon; and launching a tiger conservation project in Malaysia. At Woodland Park Zoo, projects were carried out with strong local collaboration, including Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Dr. Koontz led the creation of the Zoo’s Living Northwest Program that strengthened their participation in Washington state conservation.



Dr. Koontz served on adjunct faculties at Columbia University, Fordham University, New York University and the University of Washington, and has published more than 50 articles on animal-related topics.



Dr. Koontz has served on the WDFW’s Wildlife Diversity Advisory Council, Budget and Policy Advisory Group and Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Advisory Committee. In 2016, Dr. Koontz was co-organizer of the Washington Wildlife Leaders Forum, a conference of 50 leaders who strategized for fish and wildlife agency improvement. Fred currently serves on the national board of Wildlands Network.



Fred enjoys hiking, nature observation and playing pickleball. He lives in King County with his wife, Dr. Wendy Westrom, a veterinarian.