About GKAR

REALTOR^® of the Year

The GKAR REALTOR^® of the Year is recognized by their peers for their contributions to the real estate profession and to the greater Kalamazoo community.

Suzzette Deaux 2023 REALTOR® of the Year Jaqua, REALTORS®

Suzzette has been a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson from 2003 to 2015. She passed the Brokers Exam in 2015 and has been an Associate Broker with Jaqua Realtors since. In 2014, she was hired as Sales Manager. On March 31, 2023, Suzzette will celebrate her 20th Anniversary with Jaqua Realtors.

Suzzette graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Her goal was to become a physical education teacher and coach. Although she was not able to find a “teaching” job after college, she revised her plan and utilized her teaching and coaching skills towards every career that she has had. In 2003, she fell in love with real estate and it was there that she discovered her ability to implement her teaching and coaching skills by helping clients and new agents. She loves educating first time homebuyers and sellers who have been in their homes for many, many years. Suzzette looks at real estate not as a sales transaction, but rather a relationship between buyers, sellers, and many other real estate professionals and service providers.

Education continues to be important to her as noted by her designations, certifications and endorsements that include: CRS, ABR, SRES, SRS, RENE, AHWD and C2EX REALTORS® Commitment to Excellence.

Suzzette has been on the GKAR Board of Directors for the past 8 years and has been elected to the positions of Treasurer, President-elect, President and appointed as a Director-At-Large. She has been a member of the Budget and Finance Committee, chairperson for 4 years and Risk Management Committee as Board Liaison since 2014. She has served on the Flex/MLS Implementation Task Force as a trainer & Lockbox upgrade implementation Task Force. She participated in Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers/Sisters Bowl for Kid’s Sake & HRI Walk to end homelessness. Suzzette has also participated in several MR Conventions, NAR Conventions as well as several Michigan REALTORS® Capital Day in Lansing. She is also an RPAC Major Investor.

Suzzette and her wife, Kristen, have been together for 27 years. She is also a proud parent to daughter, Andrea, who is a Senior at Portage Central High School.

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Nomination Form

The nomination period for the 2023 REALTOR^® of the Year has passed.

Important Details:

• Nominees must be a Primary Member of GKAR.
• Nominees must possess a current Michigan Real Estate License.
• Nominees must have been a GKAR Member for a minimum of five consecutive years.
• Self-nominations are permitted.
• Nominees cannot be a current officer, newly-elected officer, or former REALTOR^® of the Year.
• The recipient will be honored at the local level and recognized at the GKAR Installation & State of the Association Holiday Luncheon. 
• The REALTOR^® of the Year name will be submitted to Michigan REALTORS^® (MR) for consideration as MR of the Year and shall be the guest of GKAR at the appropriate MR Convention.

Past REALTOR^® of the Year Recipients