POST FALLS - Greg Gfeller believes his business background will be an asset in Boise to help create jobs.

Gfeller, a Republican and the director of operations for Avista Utilities' Coeur d'Alene operation, will seek the District 3 House Seat B position in the May 20 primary.

Frank Henderson, who currently holds the seat, is retiring and endorsing Gfeller. Others running for the seat are Don Cheatam and Jeff Ward.

"The climb from ditch-digger to lineman to operations director for the power company was a long and challenging one, but it whet my appetite for setting goals and then working for success," Gfeller said.

Gfeller said he has already written to legislative leaders to recommend his appointment to the Business Committee.

He said there are growth trends in health care services, software technology, general manufacturing and the recreation industry.

"If a legislator is an experienced businessman, he can see all these opportunities for expansion of the local economy," he said. "Residential taxation will be reduced as we increase industrial and commercial business activity."

Gfeller, who has lived in this area for 18 years, is exploring a jobs opportunity in the local aeronautics industry that uses composites for manufacturing parts and building aircraft assemblies.

Gfeller is involved with the Rathdrum and Post Falls chambers of commerce, the National Rifle Association and Rotary. He has a master's degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University.

He has been married for 37 years and has two children.