Moser

Judy Moser believes her track record during her first four terms as Butler County Register of Wills/Clerk of Orphan's Court will help earn her another four years.

"Ireally believe I have worked hard and have a reputation for my work ethic," said Moser, 60, who first came to the office in 1983 as a deputy register.

Then, the office performed only Register of Wills duties. In 1991, when Butler became a fourth-class county, the office was combined with the Clerk of Orphans' Court office.

Today, the office is responsible for, among other things, estate proceedings, state inheritance tax collections, marriage licenses, guardianship and adoptions.

Moser, a Republican, was the first and, to date, only person to be elected to head the dual office.

Democrat Tina Landgraf of Chicora will challenge Moser in the November election.

Landgraf, 36, once worked in Moser's office, but now works in the county recorder of deeds office.

Moser said since she's been at the helm, the office has had many upgrades.

Now, the office uses computer-generated, standardized documents. Records are digitally scanned so people may see them on public-access computers. Moser also created an Internet site that offers documents that can be downloaded.

Moser stresses the importance of her activity at the state level.

Having served as past president of the state Register of Wills and Clerks of Orphan Court Association, she's now one of the organization's legislative liaisons and analysts. She's also a past president of the Pennsylvania State Association of Elected County Officials.

In her statewide role, Moser cites accomplishments she is proud of, including a successful lobby of state government to eliminate the syphilis test formerly required for a marriage license.

Moser led a movement to eliminate bureaucratic red tape and extra fees residents had to face to make claims through the state's Unclaimed Property Laws.

She also worked with legislators and the Bureau of Vital Records to enact legislation eliminating outdated paper report filings by her office to the vital records office. Instead, the records, which were once copied and mailed, are now sent electronically.

Most recently, Moser was recognized by state and county officials for her efforts to prevent the creation of a statewide sales tax on public and court documents.

Moser earned a bachelor of science degree in human resource management from Geneva College in Beaver Falls in 1995. She earned her master of science degree in organizational leadership from Geneva in 1999.

She earned a certificate in Myers-Briggs Personality Typing from Type-Resources Inc. of Louisville, Ky.

She completed Butler County Community College's legal secretarial program, and she attended Penn State University's paralegal program.

Before coming to the county, Moser worked for attorney Richard Givan.

Moser, who lives in Winfield Township, has formerly served on the Butler County chapter of Habitat for Humanity board of directors, the Butler County Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, Butler County Citizens for Decency and the Christian Conciliation of Western Pennsylvania.