Eric Gordon

A military veteran and business owner is running for Butler County register of wills/clerk of orphans’ court.

Eric Gordon, 33, of Cranberry Township is seeking the Republican nomination for the post.

Gordon, owner of the contracting firm Gordon Professional Services, said he is qualified to run the dual office.

“No other candidate has the management and leadership background I do,” he said.

While in the Navy, Gordon served on the nuclear submarine USS Nebraska. He was a supervisor in the ship’s propulsion plant.

Gordon decided to run for the row office seat after incumbent Judy Moser announced she would retire at the end of the year.

“I researched the post and determined I had the background and experience to do a good job for the county,” Gordon said.

After leaving active duty, he joined the Navy Reserve, working in the shipyard maintenance program.

He has the rank of chief, overseeing the Pittsburgh unit, managing and training sailors to support the needs of public shipyards.

Gordon is a senior member of the Navy’s Funeral Honor Guard.

He also was a nuclear plant refuel technician, classroom instructor and software test engineer for Westinghouse Electric in Madison in Westmoreland County and, later, Cranberry.

Gordon was a Seneca Valley School Board member from 2009 through 2013. He is a 1999 graduate of Seneca Valley High School and has a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey.

Among his volunteer work is serving as the district vice chairman for the Boy Scouts Glacial Ridge District, treasurer for Young Republicans of PA and chairman of the Butler County Young Republicans.

Gordon belongs to American Legion Post 175 and is active with local Chief Petty Officers Association.

He lives in the township with his wife, Wendy, and their two daughters, Anna and Emma.

Gordon is the second candidate for the post. Sarah Fair Edwards, a former judicial law clerk, also is seeking the Republican nomination.