On Jan, 27, 2026, First Bancorp, the parent company of First Bank, announced the retirement of Mary Clara Capel from the First Bancorp and First Bank Board of Directors effective immediately.
Ms. Capel has served as a director of the First Bancorp since 2005 and is a former chair of the Board of Directors. The Capel family's service to First Bancorp spans nearly 70 years, beginning with her father, Jesse Capel, who joined the board in 1959.
Ms. Capel served as director of administration and marketing at Capel, Incorporated, a rug manufacturer, importer and exporter located in Troy, N.C., from 1981 until her retirement in September 2017. She brought extensive business executive decision-making and oversight skills from her 37 years with the third-generation family business, which grew from its rug manufacturing operation in Troy, North Carolina to importing and exporting rugs worldwide.
Ms. Capel is a past member of the North Carolina Banking Commission and has attended the North Carolina Bank Directors' College. Her leadership and expertise have been invaluable to First Bancorp throughout her tenure.
First Bancorp is deeply grateful for the Capel family's nearly seven decades of dedicated service and leadership, which has been instrumental in the Company's growth and success.
First Bancorp is a bank holding company headquartered in Southern Pines, North Carolina, with total assets of $12.7 billion. Its principal activity is the ownership and operation of First Bank, a state-chartered community bank that operates 113 branches in North Carolina and South Carolina.
This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.
