LORI ROTH - CLASSIFICATION TALK
In a very winsome Classification Talk on January 14, Lori Roth shared her journey from her days at Emmaus High School to her present position as the manager of the BB&T location in Emmaus.
Lori’s mother told her that she should take the business curriculum at Emmaus High School so she could become a secretary. Her success in this program led to her first job as an assistant to the head of the private banking department at a downtown Allentown bank. Lori’s family was so concerned about her personal safety that her father accompanied her on the bus and walked her to and from her office door every day.
While working full time, Lori took classes at LCCC and Muhlenberg College for eight years before earning her degree. At this point, Lori considered leaving banking to become a teacher. But, an insightful colleague at the bank suggested she become a branch manager where she could satisfy her teaching instinct by training employees and educating clients every day. She took her colleague’s advice and soon became a branch manager in Wescosville -- despite the fact Lori hates math and doesn’t like to touch money. Lori has survived several bank acquisitions and mergers (and a brief period working in mortgage banking) culminating with her current position at BB&T.
Lori believes an employer’s values are important. She mentioned a previous boss who said “nice is overrated” – a maxim Lori rejected. By contrast, Lori is thrilled that the corporate values of BB&T are strong.
Feeling safe in their work situations, Lori and her husband were discussing what each wanted one day - He wanted a new Lexus; Lori wanted a baby. That discussion led to the idea of adoption and ultimately to becoming foster parents. One day, Lori received a call about a two-year old boy who was being taken from an unsafe home situation. She was given 15 minutes to decide whether to take the child or not. In what Lori said was the best decision she ever made, she and her husband took the young boy into their home. They then endured a very emotional roller coaster ride in the foster parent system before adopting the boy when he was 2 ½ years old. He is now a first grader in the Parkland School District and the joy of his parents’ lives.
Lori is excited to be a part of Rotary where she is eager to make a difference in our local community.