Darius Anderson, Sonoma Valley lobbyist, investor and hunt club owner, appointed to California Fish and Game Commission

Darius Anderson, founder of Wing & Barrel Ranch hunting club near Sears Point and managing partner of Sonoma Media Investments, owner of The Press Democrat, has been appointed to the California Fish and Game Commission.

An avid hunter and civic volunteer who previously served on the Sonoma County Fish and Game Commission, Anderson was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to serve a six-year term on the five-member state commission, pending state Senate confirmation.

Anderson, who also owns lobbying and development firms, said he was looking for an opportunity to serve the state in a role where he had applicable expertise when he learned of an opening on the commission and applied.

“I think I was a good fit,” said Anderson, 59.

He’s finishing up a six-year term on the California Community Colleges Board of Governors, “which I’ve absolutely loved.” He said he is ready to commit the time necessary to read and absorb the abundant documentation necessary to inform decision-making on the Fish and Game Commission, which holds one- or two-day meetings monthly around the state.

“I’m honored that the administration would ask me to do this, and I’m excited about serving,” he said.

The commission has responsibility for a wide range of policies enforced by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, including regulations and licensing for hunting, sport fishing and some commercial fishing; aquaculture and kelp bed leasing; transportation and control of nonnative plant and animal species; protections over certain lands and waters; state listing and delisting of California threatened and endangered species; and wildlife care and exhibitions.

“I’m really excited about the issues, and Fish and Wildlife touches so many aspects of our regular life,” he said.

Anderson said he had a particular interest in reforming fines for illegal harvest of abalone and other wildlife that he said were too low to dissuade would-be poachers, as well as new technologies that might help detect poaching.

He also said he would bring a “hunter’s perspective” to the commission, but had worked in such a variety of areas and industries over 25 years as a lobbyist, giving him a “good grasp on how the system works” and “the key players.”

To alleviate any appearance of conflict, he has resigned from several client accounts, including the state game wardens’ association and a commercial fishing group.

Anderson is founder and chief executive of Platinum Advisors, his 25-year-old lobbying firm; Kenwood Investments, a real estate development firm; and the exclusive hunting club near San Pablo Bay.

The commission is led by Napa Valley grape grower Eric Sklar, a member since 2015 and its current president.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan (she/her) at 707-521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @MaryCallahanB.