Self-Storage REIT Life Storage Mourns Unexpected Death of Chief Financial Officer

Life Storage Inc., a self-storage real estate investment trust (REIT) and management company, announced that chief financial officer Alexander Gress, 50, passed away unexpectedly on July 9. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, according to a press release.

“We are shocked by the tragic passing of Alex Gress,” said CEO Joseph Saffire. “Alex was a tremendous leader and brilliant financial mind who demonstrated incredible integrity, passion and commitment to his colleagues and our business. He made considerable contributions to Life Storage over the last two years, none more important than his role in our pending combination with Extra Space Storage. I know I speak for the entire Life Storage family in saying we will miss him as a colleague and, more importantly, as a friend. We extend our deepest sympathies to Alex’s family during this difficult time.”

Gress supported Western New York communities while serving in leadership roles with 43North, First Niagara Financial Group, KeyBank and Life Storage over the past decade. He devoted considerable time and energy to local organizations to advocate for positive change, including serving on the Canisius High School Board of Trustees, the release stated.

To continue Gress’ legacy, his family has established a scholarship fund in his name to support local students. Interested parties may make donations to the Alex Gress Scholarship Fund c/o Canisius High School, 1180 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY, 14209.

The Life Storage board has appointed David Dodman, chief operating officer (COO), as chief financial officer, effective immediately. He’ll continue to serve in his current role in addition to his new responsibilities. Dodman joined the company in 2018 and served as senior vice president of strategic planning and investor relations until being appointed COO last year.

Prior to joining Life Storage, Dodman held various corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and operational roles at First Niagara Financial Group, KeyBank, Lockheed Martin Corp., Legg Mason and Stifel Financial Corp. He has a comprehensive knowledge of risk and regulatory compliance and audit issues, and contributes a track record of implementing new capabilities to improve financial business performance, the release stated.

Based in Buffalo, New York, Life Storage operates more than 1,200 self-storage facilities in 37 states and Washington, D.C. Its portfolio of owned and managed facilities comprises more than 89.8 million square feet.

Source: Life Storage, Life Storage Mourns the Sudden Passing of Alexander Gress, Chief Financial Officer