Seneca County Commissioner Brent Busdeker is ready to help lead the county

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Media Relations Coordinator

Seeking public office was a long-held consideration for Seneca County’s newest commissioner, Brent Busdeker, who was sworn in by Judge Steve Shuff on Dec. 27. Commissioner Busdeker and his wife, Lynn Busdeker, have supported local politics for years, but the commissioner was restrained from running for office by the ever-present question, “Why me?”

Then life changed his perspective, and he recognized the importance of stepping up and utilizing his skills to benefit the county.

“I always thought, ‘Why me?’ Then I got a little older and thought, ‘Why not me?’” Commissioner Busdeker said. “I want to serve the people of Seneca County, and there aren’t enough people stepping forward.”

As a successful business owner, Commissioner Busdeker brings management experience and a strong work ethic to the commissioners’ office. The commissioner is co-owner with his brothers-in-law, Jason Herbert and Aaron Herbert, of King Industrial Supply, which provides industrial products to manufacturers across Northwest Ohio, and of KGS OHIO, a residential and commercial window and door company. His dedication and willingness to work hard helped grow the two companies into successful and reputable businesses.

Commissioner Busdeker will not only bring strong management and fiscal experience to the commissioners’ office, but he will also step into his new role with a solid understanding of the position’s expectations. His dedication to doing a job well inspired him to spend the last several months attending weekly commissioners’ meetings, as well as various meetings and events across the county, where he had the opportunity to connect with elected officials and meet local residents. He will begin his term with his eyes wide open, and he likes what he has seen.

“I want to maintain the direction already set by the commissioners. The commissioners and County Administrator Barb Patterson did a very solid job being fiscally responsible,” he said. “And the EMS project is very important. I want to support that because the last thing we want to do is allow that to fail.”

Commissioner Busdeker, a Pemberville native, earned a Bachelor in Communications and Journalism from The Ohio State University, where he met Lynn. The two married in 2002 and are the parents of Luc, Gianna and Vinnie Busdeker. In addition to owning two businesses, the commissioner is a former YMCA board member and Tiffin Youth Football coach. He currently coaches wrestling at Tiffin Middle School.

He is grateful his children are growing up in Seneca County.

“I like being able to raise my kids in a community where people know your kids. They are not just a number here,” he said. “And there’s a  level of safety here. Law enforcement does a good job in the county, and the justice system does a good job.”

As a commissioner, he wants to help protect the county’s future for the next generation.

“I want to look into the things we can do to make Seneca County grow and keep people here. We lose a lot of really great young talent. I want to see how we can stop that,” he said. “I want to reach a high level of community care. I want to see the community grow and develop.”

Now that he is part of a community of elected officials who care about the welfare of local residents, he will have the opportunity to impact the county like never before.

“One of the things I’ve always liked about Seneca County is the ability to pick up your phone and talk to your elected officials,” Commissioner Busdeker said. “They are your neighbors, so they’re willing to listen to you.”