South Dakota association honors state official

Northwestern Financial Review, May 1-May 14, 2002

The South Dakota Bankers Association recently honored South Dakota Secretary of State Joyce Hazeltine. The association recognized Hazeltine with its first "Friend of the SDBA" award. The association honored Hazeltine for instituting a comprehensive reorganization, modernization and computerization program for the Secretary of State's office.

In 1986, Hazeltine insisted the state create a computerized, centralized filling system for South Dakota. With the passage of enabling legislation, bankers no longer needed to go to their county office for lien holder information. These offices frequently were closed Fridays and weekends.

Being able to have lein information at their fingertips all day, everyday protected bankers and sale officials.

Hazeltine more recently worked to create an immediate filing system for uniform commercial code forms, thereby ending two- to three-day waits on mail delivery.

"Little did I know when I was getting ready to attend the South Dakota Banker's legislative reception that the evening would be a highlight in my career as Secretary of State," wrote Hazeltine in a letter to the SBDA. "It is an extreme honor to receive the first-ever Friend of the SBDA award. What a wonderful surprise from a very prestigious organization." The award was presented at the legislative reception the association conducted Feb. 6.