Board also appoints Lovett
By Shannon Livick
Dolores Star Editor
Cortez business owner Kevin Lovett had a hard time wiping the grin off his face Wednesday as he settled down for his first meeting as a member of the Dolores State Bank Board of Directors.
"The Dolores State Bank is a great institution, it's a vital part of this community," Lovett said.
Lovett, 58, is a native of Montezuma County and has owned Comfort Air out of Cortez for the last 24 years.
Lovett fills the empty seat left by Bill Nielson when he retired after 54 years on the board earlier this year. In addition, Dewayne Findley, who has served on the board since 2004, was named as the Board Chairman.
"We both have big shoes to fill," Findley said.
Findley recalled when he was asked to serve on the board.
"It was the single biggest surprise of my life," he said. "In my wildest dreams, I never thought about serving on the board."
But nearly 10 years later, Findley says he is still up to the challenge. The five-member board meets once a week and oversees loan approvals and other operations of the bank.
"Our No. 1 job is to ensure the stockholder's value and enable the bank to prosper," he said.
Also on the board is Dolores State Bank President Ed Merritt Jr., Dolores State Bank Executive Vice President Doug Aiken and the banks' Vice President Larry Engel.
Findley said that himself and Lovett provide outside perspective to the banking world.
Findley said that he and Lovett have a lot on their plate in the future as banking continues to evolve. The future of banking, he said, is electronic banking.
"I'm really excited about Kevin coming on board, he has incredible character," Findley said.
The Dolores State Bank is locally owned, 90 percent of the shares are held locally, Findley said.
"If you like the way we are doing business, tell your friends, if you don't like it, tell us," Findley said.