Butler native Ray D. Steffler began his second career as a legislative field representative in June 2000, after 44 years working for the North Pittsburgh Telephone Co.

“This job came looking for me. I didn't go looking for it,” Steffler said.

State Sen. Mary Jo White had learned of Steffler's work for Butler County Community College, where's he been a board member for 25 years. He was invited to interview with the senator and got the position.

It's a part-time position that runs longer than the 20 hours a week he's scheduled, Steffler said. He doesn't receive any benefits, but he loves his job.

“I thoroughly enjoy it,” Steffler said. “I could have moved on to another job or gone home and retired.

“I'm not a person who likes accolades. You should be giving back to your community. You're not brought into this world to take and take and take. You've got to give back.”

“Giving back” is the focus of Steffler's work, which he said is to be the senator's eyes and ears in the county.

When he first began to work for White, she represented all of Butler County except for Adams and Cranberry townships. Today, the county is split among four state senators.

White's 21st senatorial District consists of Butler and the county's northwest communities; all of Clarion, Forest, Venango and Warren counties; and part of Erie County.

The district lines will be redrawn this year to accommodate population shifts found in the 2010 U.S. Census. This redistricting occurs every 10 years.

Every day, Steffler tackles constituents' problems.

He works on a range of issues, helping residents solve their problems with government agencies and forwarding information to the senator as necessary.

“We can't tell the agencies what to do,” he explained.

He has a soft spot in his heart for the county's volunteer fire departments.

“There are only two paid fire companies in Butler County,” Steffler said.

Paid firefighters work for Butler and for VA Butler Healthcare. The other 36 companies in the county are all volunteers.

“These (volunteer firefighters) are the unsung heroes of our community and our nation,” he said.

Steffler became interested in funding fire companies through his work on the county's 911 communications council. He was a member for 27 years, beginning when he worked for the telephone company.

“I spend a lot of time helping fire companies get money,” he said.

He also combined his admiration for firefighters and his passion for BC3 to help Sen. White get funding for the Public Safety Training Center at the college.

“Firefighting today has become a science,” he said.

But the all-consuming issue that Steffler has been involved with recently is Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.

Most of the Marcellus Shale drilling in Western Pennsylvania took place in Washington County, which is outside of White's district. Now, that's changed, Steffler said.

It is spreading in Butler County.

“That's the 800-pound gorilla in the room right now,” Steffler said, noting that the industry is still in its infancy in Pennsylvania.

Most of the constituents he's heard from on this issue have been property owners, he said. Often they aren't sure what their rights are.

“We want to educate people, get ahead of the curve,” Steffler said. “The level of activity in Butler County is picking up dramatically. Leases are signed every day.”

In response, he helped to develop a three-part series to educate property owners, municipal officials and business owners about the industry. The meetings were March 7 to 9 at BC3.

They were well attended. For example, about 200 people attended a meeting for property owners.

“About 75 to 80 percent of the people in the room had already signed leases,” he said.

One of the most critical issues property owners deal with is preservation of their water supply.

Although pending legislation would increase the minimum distance required between a natural gas well and a water source, Steffler recommends that property owners have their well water tested before drilling begins to create a baseline that shows that the water is safe to drink.

The industry is different from earlier drilling that occurred here in other ways, too, Steffler said.

The drilling rigs are bigger. The wells are under more pressure than earlier gas wells were. And unlike natural gas mines that pumped gas directly into a home, Marcellus Shale must be processed first.

“It's been a huge learning curve,” Steffler said. “I never thought I'd be this deep into drilling.”

Steffler's office stopped processing grant requests from nonprofits and individuals more than a year ago because of the state budget.

Nevertheless, he continues to network with numerous agencies to help White represent her constituents.

Steffler works out of White's county office at 340 S. Main St., along with Rod McElravy, legislative assistant. McElravy helps constituents with a number of issues such as state Department of Transportation licensing issues, notary applications and property tax rebate applications.

<b>Name: </b>Ray D. Steffler<b>Age:</b> 75<b>Address: </b>Middlesex Township<b>Family: </b>Married for 52 years to his wife, Kay; daughters, Karen and Michelle<b>Employment: </b>Legislative field representative for state Sen. Mary Jo White<b>Education: </b>Associate's degree in business management from Butler County Community College<b>Interests: </b>Helping firefighters, nonprofits, and Sen. White's constituents in Butler County<b>Quote:</b> “I'm not a person who likes accolades. You should be giving back to your community. You're not brought into this world to take and take and take. You've got to give back.”