Joan McCalmant, former Linn County Recorder and ISAC Past President, was honored with the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) Golden Eagle at its 2023 Annual Conference on August 23 in Des Moines. The prestigious Golden Eagle was presented to McCalmant during the ISAC General Session.
Joan McCalmant began working in the Linn Recorder’s Office in 1986 as the Chief Deputy Recorder. She was first elected to the office in 1998 after earlier being appointed to complete the unexpired term of the previous recorder. She served in that capacity until 2022 and is currently the Chief Deputy Recorder. She served as President of the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials, and Treasurers (IACREOT) in 2011 and the Iowa County Recorders Association in 2004-2005. She has served on the ISAC Board of Directors from 2012 to 2022 and as President in 2016.
McCalmant served on the Board of Directors for the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA) from 2003 – 2014, the last several as secretary.
McCalmant was born and raised in Marion, and is a graduate of Marion High School and Central College in Pella. She currently resides in Hiawatha with her husband Gary.
“Joan is a consummate professional, performing her duties as a recorder with a very high level of ethics and integrity,” said Brian Gradner, Linn County Sheriff. “Joan’s dependability, initiative, and nobility have earned her the respect of both the citizens whom she served and other recorder professionals across the state and nation. In addition, her quiet and humble leadership in the Iowa County Recorders Association and the statewide impact that it’s had on education and the County Land Records Information System (CLRIS) cannot be overlooked.”
The Golden Eagle is given to commend extraordinary public service to ISAC and county government. The honor was created to recognize elected or appointed county officials, business or civic leaders, persons rendering assistance to counties as trainers, consultants or advisors, and former members of ISAC staff also are eligible. The ISAC Board of Directors selected McCalmant as the Golden Eagle, an honor that has been given annually since 2010 on the basis of service rendered to county government generally, including leadership in ISAC, ISAC-affiliated boards, service on state or national boards or commissions, service to the National Association of Counties (NACo), service to counties in training, education and development of local leadership, advocating for counties and good local government, and providing exceptional professional assistance and support to counties.