LifeStore Bank Announces David Cottrell's Retirement
Boone, NC – David Cottrell, SVP and Watauga Market President at LifeStore Bank found his niche in banking while he was in college at Appalachian State University. He began working part-time while in college and over the course of his career he worked in retail banking, commercial and mortgage lending and spent most of his years assisting customers with loans for their business or homes. “I feel very fortunate and blessed to have had this opportunity,” commented David.
Looking back on his many experiences, David considers the highlights of career - learning and experiencing a variety of roles in his work, helping people accomplish their goals, and getting to know so many people.
David is retiring from LifeStore Bank at the end of 2021 with 22 years of experience at LifeStore and 47 years in banking. When LifeStore Bank, then AF Financial Group, opened a Boone loan production office in 1999, Margaret McGlamery, Loan Processor and David Cottrell, Market President were original employees, “We quickly became a full-service bank, adding employees with ties to the area and a history in the financial services industry,” commented David Cottrell. The bank moved to the current location in 2004 and today LifeStore Bank is well known among the business community and local residents. “The good word around town has grown our business,” commented David, adding “We have such a good group of employees - our success is our staff.”
I was fortunate to always work in Boone where I grew up and where we raised our family. “The hardest part about retirement is I like what I do, and I am not retiring from something, but for something.” David added, “the future is bright for LifeStore Bank and I am glad to have been a part of it.”
David has many ties to education-his wife, Kathy Cottrell, was a teacher in Watauga County Schools for 35 years, his daughters are teachers and he served as a member of the Watauga Education Foundation. David is a member of Perkinsville Baptist Church. David is a well-known member of Boone Golf Course and he is looking forward to more rounds of golf when he retires. He is also planning to do more traveling and is looking forward to spending more time with his six grandchildren.
David and Kathy have three children: Molly, Betsy, and Sam. Molly and her husband Daniel Zimmer are from Mooresville, Betsy and her husband Matt Krause live in Boone and their son Sam Cottrell lives in Raleigh.
Joedy Eller, Chief Banking Officer for LifeStore Bank commented, “David’s leadership has been so instrumental in growing LifeStore from a small loan production office to a known financial services provider in the Watauga market. David’s contribution has positively impacted the bank, as well as many businesses, families, and individuals. On behalf of LifeStore Bank, I want to thank David for his service, and thank his wife Kathy for all of her support and we wish him an enjoyable retirement.”
Congratulatory emails can be sent to David at dcottrell@golifestore.com.
LifeStore dates to 1939 when its founders saw the need for a local building and loan association to help people purchase and build new homes. Today LifeStore Bank operates four locations in Ashe and Watauga Counties and LifeStore Insurance is in those locations as well as Elkin, Lenoir, Newland, and Sparta.