Kevin Boozel wants to bring Butler County government back to handling business, not dealing with personality conflicts.

“The commissioners are struggling to cooperate,” he said.

Boozel, 43, of Mercer Township, is the first candidate for the 2015 county commissioners race.

The Democrat stopped short of criticizing any of the current commissioners by name, but said conflicts among the board have been detrimental to the county.

“I think there are a lot of opportunities that are missed,” Boozel said.

He is the PA 211 Southwest project manager for the United Way of Allegheny County. The 211 number connects people to health, housing and human services information.

Boozel said his background in human services helps qualify him for the job of commissioner.

His previous jobs include being the resident initiatives and special projects director for the Housing Authority of the County of Butler and executive director of Butler County Catholic Charities at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Among his community service are serving on the boards of the Butler County Children’s Center and the Butler County Community Action advisory board.

Boozel said his ability to work with anyone, including other commissioners, makes him a viable candidate.

“That’s one of my strengths,” he said.

Boozel wants to focus on housing, employment and county government’s financial stability.

His platform includes attracting more businesses, providing a more secure network of housing, health care and education.

He said the commissioners should be solving problems, not creating them, with reasonable decision-making.

“It’s all about building a better Butler,” Boozel said.

He intends to work hard during the campaign as only one Democrat usually makes it past the general election to fill one of three seats.

The board of commissioners includes two members from the same political party and one member from the other political party. Because of the Republican advantage in registration countywide, this usually means two Republicans and one Democrat on the board.

Boozel said it’s not premature to announce his candidacy for a primary nearly a year away.

“I don’t want to be a reactive candidate,” he said. “I want to be a proactive one.”

Boozel is a 1989 graduate of Butler High School and has an associate degree from Butler County Community College and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Indiana (Pa.) University.

He is working toward a master’s degree in organizational leadership at Geneva College.

Boozel is a Renfrew native who grew up in Butler.

He is a lieutenant and vice president with the Harrisville Volunteer Fire Department and the emergency management coordinator for both Harrisville and Mercer Township.

Boozel also is an advisory committee member for the Butler Emergency Relief Initiative of the United Way of Butler County and board president for the Butler County Critical Incident Management Team.

Although the incumbent Democrat commissioner, Jim Eckstein, has not formally announced his candidacy, he has made comments at meetings indicating he will run next year.