The executive director of the United Way of Butler County is stepping down from her position to become the third Republican to run for county commissioner.

Leslie Osche, 50, of Meridian said she has spent her career in service primarily to Butler County.

“I see this as a logical extension of what I have done,” Osche said. “This really is a way to continue this service.”

She said she would like to continue the county’s economic growth from the development of Marcellus Shale natural gas and a growth in manufacturing.

“This is such an exciting time for the county,” Osche said.

She said it is crucial to plan ahead for long-term sustainability, saying all areas of economic development have to be built up equally to avoid any kind of “boom or bust” situation.

Osche said transportation and infrastructure will be essential for economic development, so she said she would advocate for these. Work force and education development also will be important.

She said housing is a concern, saying she would like to see more affordable, middle class housing available.

Osche also said she would like to increase collaboration at all levels and encourage younger people to get involved in leadership.

“We need them,” Osche said.

Coming from a nonprofit background, she said she understands budgeting and its challenges and knows how to deal with a variety of people and leadership styles.

“I absolutely think it’s an advantage,” Osche said.

She said it is necessary to look outward to what is going on in the county rather than be focused inward. She said the role of commissioner is to represent the best interest of county taxpayers.

“I think we have to start focusing on what’s important and spend less time focusing on these internal struggles,” Osche said.

Osche has been the executive director since June 2001. In December, she completed her term as chairman of United Way of Pennsylvania.

Osche will resign from her position at the United Way of Butler County effective Wednesday. Kierston Hobaugh, current director for results and performance at the United Way, will be interim director.

Osche graduated from Butler High School in 1982 and graduated from Duquesne University in 1986 with a degree in journalism.

Before coming to the United Way, she worked for Lifesteps, St. Barnabas Health System, the Butler County Chamber of Commerce and the Three Rivers Arts Festival.

She is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Rotary Club of Butler.

Osche has served on several boards, including the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, Criminal Justice Advisory Board, public relations committee of the Community Development Corporation of Butler County, Community Action Advisory Board and the Cranberry Area Diversity Network.

She is a graduate of Leadership Butler County and has received a number of awards, including the Butler Health System Women of Legacy Award, the Rotary Distinguished Service Award, the Athena Award and Soroptimist Woman of Distinction.

Osche and her husband, Jim, have two sons, Joshua and Nathan.

Two other Republicans already have announced they will run for county commissioner.

Former Jury Commissioner Larry Thompson of Oakland Township and Lisa Metcalfe of Cranberry Township, daughter of state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, previously announced their candidacies.

Two Democrats, Kevin Boozel of Mercer Township and Jerry Johnston of Butler Township, have announced their intention to run for their party’s two nominations.

County Commissioner Jim Eckstein, the sole Democrat on the board, has said he intends to run for re-election, but has not made an official announcement yet.

All three county commissioner positions are up at the end of next year. Each seat is a four-year term.