PAW PAW – Van Buren County Register of Deeds Paul De Young has been announced by the Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority (DDA) as the inaugural recipient of the Community Ambassador Award. DeYoung will be honored Friday, Dec. 12, during the all-new Paw Paw Children’s Lighted Parade that will step off at 6 p.m.
DeYoung and his wife, Anita, have five grown children, Sean, Andrea, Christopher, Colin, and Stephen; and six grandchildren.
DeYoung joined the Van Buren Register of Deeds Office in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term as Register of Deeds.
Prior to that, he operated his own business for 10 years as an electrical and electronic distributor in Paw Paw, with over 20 years of experience in the construction distribution industry.
DeYoung was born and raised in Kalamazoo and graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School. He obtained his associates degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. He later attended Calvin College and Western Michigan University. He earned his Certified County Officer certificate in 2018, and Master Certified County Officer certificate in 2025.
In addition to serving as an elected county official representing over 75,000 constituents, He is chairman of the Van Buren County Remonumentation Committee, chairman of the Van Buren County Plat Board, chairman of the Van Buren County Building Authority, vice chair of the Van Buren County Land Bank Authority, and a member of the Village of Paw Paw Economic and Residential Opportunities Commission. He is also a member of the Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds (MARD), United County Officers Association (UCOA), Property Records Industry Association (PRIA), a statutory member of the Van Buren Republican Committee, a merit badge counselor for Paw Paw Scout Troop 169, a member of three local chambers of commerce, the Paw Paw Knights of Columbus, the Paw Paw Conservation Club, Van Buren Farm Bureau, and a member of St. Mary Church, Paw Paw.
DeYoung is past president of Michigan Association of Registers of Deeds, past Waverly Township representative to the Paw Paw Fire Board, past president and director of the Paw Paw Chamber of Commerce, past executive board member of Paw Paw Middle School PTO, past Paw Paw AYSO coach, past Paw Paw Youth Baseball assistant coach, past Paw Paw Middle School Ski Club assistant, and past member of the Paw Paw Schools Superintendent advisory committee.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, volunteering, attending community and local governmental functions, boating, and downhill skiing.
