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LifeStore Financial Group Welcomes Dr. Harry Davis to its Board of Directors

By Jess Kleean

Dr. Harry Davis, a trusted forecaster, and instructor among banking professionals and business leaders across North Carolina has joined the Board of Directors for LifeStore Financial Group. “We are absolutely delighted to have Dr. Davis join our board,” commented Robert Washburn, President, and CEO for LifeStore.      

Davis has a 40-year tenure at Appalachian State University where he teaches a senior course for finance and banking majors on Commercial Bank Management. He is also former Chair of the Department of Finance, Banking, and Insurance. His history with the North Carolina Bankers Association is almost as long as his career at ASU. He has served for the past 38 years and is currently the Professor of Banking for the Association and Dean and Instructor for the North Carolina School of Banking.  He is also an instructor for the Director’s College sponsored by the North Carolina Commissioner of Banks and the FDIC. Dr. Davis is also an instructor for the North Carolina Insurance Executive Management School and the South Carolina School of Banking.

He is the Economist for the North Carolina Bankers Association and has put together quarterly economic forecasts carried by various news outlets and is a frequent speaker at state, regional and national banking conventions.  “I often speak on the outlook for the banking industry, how it will perform, and strategies for banks and the economic cycle,” commented Davis.

Dr. Davis is also active in the consulting field and prepares feasibility plans, business plans and valuations for both financial and non-financial corporations. He served as a consultant for numerous start-up banks and said “I helped to start 31 banks and 30 were in North Carolina. I’ve always championed community banks because of their importance in the local economy. They drive local jobs, help organizations and are a key player in the community,” commented Davis.

Dr. Davis continues to be active in the community. He has served on the board for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, has been a member of Boone Sunrise Rotary Club and is currently on the Board of Advisors for the Western Youth Network. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Boone. His daughter Carrington and her husband, Josh Brown, also live in Boone with their daughter, Claire.  His stepdaughter, Taylor White, lives in Greenville, NC, while his stepson, Austin White, resides in Columbia, SC.  Dr. Davis is an active member of Boone United Methodist Church and currently serves as Treasurer.

“Our Board is excited to have Harry join us at LifeStore,” commented Bob Washburn. “I have been fortunate enough to work with him as well as have him as an instructor. He is widely recognized for his expertise in this field by bankers across the state. The insight he can provide will be invaluable to LifeStore moving forward.  We are very happy to have him join our board.”

LifeStore Financial Group, headquartered in West Jefferson, provides banking, investment, and insurance services. It is a federally chartered thrift holding company that owns 100% of the common stock of LifeStore Bank (Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender) and operates branches in Boone, Jefferson, Warrensville and West Jefferson. LifeStore Insurance is an independent insurance agency that serves these markets along with Elkin, Lenoir, North Wilkesboro and Sparta.