Forged from the tough and resilient attitude that is the hallmark of people from the southwestern Pennsylvania, Al Buchtan has lived the classic American Dream success story. A lifelong resident of this Senate district, Al hails from very humble beginnings: living in a single wide mobile home with six siblings. His father, Emil, was a coal miner and his mother, Diane, tended bar. Al witnessed firsthand how hard his parents worked to make ends meet and learned his first life lesson: “Work hard for what you have.” This has stayed with him throughout his life. Upon his high school graduation in 1985 from Carmichaels Area High School, Al attended Beaver’s Masonry where he finished a four-year apprenticeship in just two years and went on to gain many employment opportunities and promotions along the way. In addition, he has been a member of the Bricklayers Allied Craftworkers Local 9 for 22 years.Fueled by a desire to change the masonry industry for the better, Al created Advanced Masonry in 2011 with support from many of his customers. His vision was simple: Be the best! He has excelled in creating many jobs for people in southwestern Pennsylvania and has completed numerous construction projects throughout Washington, Greene and Beaver Counties. Additionally, Al Buchtan continues to support many charitable endeavors through his businesses like scholastic sports, St. Jude’s, and many local historical societies. Al’s desire to serve the community motivated him to serve on the Carmichaels Area School Board of Directors where, after two years of enacting needed reforms, Al stepped down so he could devote full-time energy to serving the people of Washington, Greene and Beaver Counties in the State Senate. Now residing in Canonsburg, Al is the father to his daughter, Victoria, and 2 stepdaughters, Malanna and Lila, with his wife Mindy of 10 years.