Wightman is proud to announce that Joel East, Professional Land Surveyor (P.S.) and Survey Manager in the firm’s Kalamazoo office, was sworn in as Deputy County Surveyor for Kalamazoo County on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
As Deputy County Surveyor, East will provide continuity for the County Surveyor’s office when County Surveyor Gary Hahn, who is also a Wightman employee, is not available. East’s professional experience and knowledge of surveying will help ensure that important county surveying responsibilities continue to be handled with accuracy and consistency.
The County Surveyor plays an important role in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of property and land records.
Land surveying helps establish where property lines, roads, easements, and other land boundaries actually are. The County Surveyor helps ensure that survey records and land descriptions are properly reviewed, documented, and preserved to maintain a reliable foundation for property transactions, development, infrastructure projects, and resolving questions about where one property ends and another begins.
East brings extensive experience in professional land surveying to the position. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying Engineering from Ferris State University in 2012 and currently serves on the Michigan Society of Professional Surveyors board of directors as treasurer and the southwest chapter representative.
As Wightman’s Kalamazoo Survey Manager, East leads surveying projects and works with clients on a wide range of land development, boundary, infrastructure, and mapping needs with expertise in ATLA/NSPS land title surveys, topographic surveys, and construction layouts. His experience includes technical and practical considerations involved in establishing and documenting property information.
Deputy County Surveyors are appointed by the County Surveyor. Hahn said he selected East based on his professional experience, involvement in the Kalamazoo County Remonumentation Program Peer Review Group, and desire to run for the County Surveyor seat in 2028.
Since its inception in 1993, the Kalamazoo County Remonumentation Program Peer Review Group has remonumented more than 77% of the 2,669 survey section corners in Kalamazoo County to which nearly legal property descriptions are referenced. The effort is designed to decrease the cost of land surveys and reduce the likelihood of land disputes.
“Since 2021, Joel East, P.S. has participated in the program by performing field investigation, research, corner analysis, and preparation of Land Corner Recordation Certificates as a contract surveyor,” Hahn said. “His passion for the land surveying profession and for the program are evident in the work he has done. Appointing Joel as a Deputy County Surveyor allows him to chair the program’s Peer Review Group meetings in my absence which will give him valuable experience should he decide to one day run for the office. I am confident in Joel’s ability to oversee the program through its completion and am grateful for his willingness to take on this role.”
East shared that the appointment represents a recognition of the integrity, experience, and commitment he has developed over time.
“I see the position as an opportunity to serve Kalamazoo County, contribute to the profession, and help maintain the trust that people place in surveyors. I place a great deal of value on building strong relationships within the surveying community, as well as with other community leaders,” East said.
“My involvement in the remonumentation program has also led to a desire to run as the Kalamazoo County Surveyor in 2028. This position will allow me to continue building upon my experience and help me transition to serving as the County Surveyor if the voters give me to opportunity to do so.”
Hahn has served as Kalamazoo County Surveyor since 2008. His current 4-year term will end in 2028. At Wightman, Hahn provides expertise in title review and boundary analysis, identifies and helps to solve problems, provides oversight and review for ALTA/NSPS Land Title Surveys, and coordinates efforts in land division services for energy clients across numerous states. He is also Kalamazoo County’s representative for the State of Michigan’s Survey and Remonumentation Program (Act 345 of 1990).
East’s appointment further reflects Wightman’s commitment to supporting the communities where its employees live and work. Through his role as Deputy County Surveyor, he will have an opportunity to support Hahn and contribute his professional expertise to the continued stewardship of Kalamazoo County’s land and surveying records.
For more information about Joel East, Gary Hahn, or Wightman’s surveying services, visit gowightman.com.
