MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF REGISTER OF DEEDS
"2022 REGISTER OF THE YEAR"
JoAnn DeGraaf
Kalkaska County
Kalkaska County
JoAnn DeGraaf began her career in 2009 with Kalkaska County as the sixth female to hold the office since 1871. In her spare time, JoAnn enjoys biking, hiking, vacation and spending time with her son Tyler, and loyal golden retriever Riesling.
Qualifications
On select years, the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds honors one Register as the Register of the Year.
For the last five (5) years the recipient must be:
A list of eligible Registers’ are submitted to the members of all 83 counties in Michigan. Nominations are casts and the recipient who received the highest amount of votes is presented with this award at the Annual Conference.
On select years, the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds honors one Register as the Register of the Year.
For the last five (5) years the recipient must be:
- A dues paying member as an elected official;
- Actively involved on a committee or served as an officer or member of the board of directors;
- An Elected Official who has made important contributions for the betterment of the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds
A list of eligible Registers’ are submitted to the members of all 83 counties in Michigan. Nominations are casts and the recipient who received the highest amount of votes is presented with this award at the Annual Conference.
Register of the Year Past Recipients
Year |
Recipient |
County |
1991 |
Bernice Tretheway |
Berrien County |
1992 |
Richard O. Diment |
Midland County |
1993 |
Carl Waldron |
Mecosta County |
1994 |
Nancy Haviland |
Livingston County |
1995 |
Doris A. Gauthier |
Alcona County |
1996 |
Joyce Watts |
Allegan County |
1997 |
Ginny M. McLaren |
Tuscola County |
1998 |
Beverly J. Thayer |
Midland County |
1999 |
Mildred M. Dodak |
Saginaw County |
2000 |
Joseph E. Merten |
Oceana County |
2001 |
Patricia A. Manley |
Marquette County |
2002 |
Mark A. Smith |
Van Buren County |
2003 |
Nancy Crawford |
Osceola County |
2004 |
Kaye Grubba |
Shiawassee County |
2005 |
Sharon Brown |
Isabella County |
2006 |
Lori Wilson-Mazzola |
Montcalm County |
2007 |
Melissa DeVaugh |
Lapeer County |
2008 |
Paula Johnson |
Ingham County |
2009 |
Lori Jarvis |
Berrien County |
2010 |
Lorie Sorensen |
Wexford County |
2011 |
Gary Scholten |
Ottawa County |
2012 |
Bambi Somerlott |
Hillsdale County |
2013 |
Sally Reynolds |
Livingston County |
2014 |
Karen Hahn |
Mecosta County |
2015 |
Lori Kimble |
Shiawassee County |
2016 |
Lori Jarvis |
Berrien County |
2017 |
Amy J. Bissell |
Benzie County |
2019 |
Diane M. Adams |
Ionia County |
2020 |
Stewart Sanders |
Newaygo County |
2021 |
Karen Jackson |
Isabella County |
2022 |
Jo Ann DeGraaf |
Kalkaska County |