Democratic leaders in Camden County have nominated a construction union official from Berlin Township to fill an open seat on the board of chosen freeholders.
Jonathan L. Young Sr., 45, has been nominated to replace Scot McCray, who resigned from the board in late December, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.
Young is currently a business representative and executive board member for the Edison-based Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters.
He also teaches carpentry and construction math as well as a pre-apprenticeship program at the American Community Partnership in Camden and serves on the apprentice committee for Carpenters Union Local 1578.
"I'm a blue collar guy, it just has that blue collar feel to it," said Young during a phone interview of the county he has called home for the past 22 years.
"It's just a good place to live."
Young and his wife, Melissa, have lived in the township for six years and have two boys: Jonathan Jr., 18, and Andrew, 14. His family had lived in Lindenwold before that.
"I enjoy working with our youth," said Young, who served as the Lindenwold Baseball Association President between 2006 and 2013.
"If we can't get them on the straight and narrow, it's a lost cause...Children need careers."
Although his potential freshman role on the freeholder board is yet to be determined, Young says ongoing economic growth and turnaround in Camden and overall jobs creation is a priority.
"If we don't have a good, trained work force, we're destined to fail."
Young touts his 20-year carpentry career working in South Jersey and role in training aspiring workers in helping to create that workforce.
"If you're willing to work and you're willing to make a change in your life, you're our kind of guy."
Young also serves on the New Jersey Black Legislative Caucus Labor Advisory Panel, Camden County Workforce Investment Board, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority and the Cumberland County Economic Steering Committee.
Party officials from towns throughout the county are set to vote on Young's nomination this Saturday.
Although Young has never run for public office, he's excited for the opportunity.
"I'm up for the challenge," said Young.
Mark Daniels may be reached at mdaniels@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @dannypapers. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.