Tony Foster II is the new executive director of the Area 9 In-Home & Community Services Agency.

Tony Foster

As executive director, Foster will oversee about 40 employees. His new role will begin on January 4, 2016.

Foster said he is excited and honored to be selected as the new executive director and to be part of the IU East family.

“I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities the position brings as we continue to provide services to the citizenry in the region,” Foster said. “Area 9 provides many great services to the citizens in our region and I look forward to helping the organization expand its mission.”

Jason Troutwine, vice chancellor for External Affairs at IU East, said Foster brings a great deal of experience to the organization. “Tony has served this community well for nearly 20 years. He has led many major initiatives in our town through successful partnerships and collaborations. We are pleased to have someone with his leadership skills and community knowledge guiding the Area 9 Agency.”

The mission of the Area 9 In-Home & Community Services Agency is to assist older persons and disabled individuals of all ages in leading independent, meaningful lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible by establishing supportive services in each community to enable people to live at home. Service areas include Fayette, Franklin, Rush, Union and Wayne Counties.

As executive director of Area 9, Foster will advocate for the issues and needs of older persons and disabled individuals of all ages, as well as their caregivers.  In addition, Foster will be responsible for the organization’s strategic vision, developing partnerships and securing sustainable funding. Foster will also work closely with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) and Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4A).

Currently, Foster is the executive director of the Department of Metropolitan Development for the City of Richmond. He is also a member of the Board of Public Works and Safety and Richmond Council on Economic Vitality. Previously with the city, Foster was the director of the Department of Community Development and the grants administrator/business development coordinator. Before joining the City of Richmond, Foster was director of membership services with the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I feel my experience working with federal funding sources, experience working with community leadership, and my wide ranging community development experiences make me a great fit for this position,” Foster said. “My decision to leave my current career had nothing to do with the recent election. The fact that Dave Snow won the Mayoral election made my decision to leave city government difficult as mayor-elect Snow and I share the same passion for our citizens and community. I look forward to working with mayor-elect Snow in my new capacity with Area 9.”

Foster graduated from IU East with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1997. He also has a Master of Public Administration from Ball State University.This November, Foster was one of three individuals to receive the IU East Alumni Hall of Fame award during the Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner. Individuals are nominated for the Alumni Hall of Fame.

Foster is a lifelong resident of Wayne County. He grew up in the Fountain City area but now lives in Richmond with his wife, Rett, and twin daughters Abby and Laney.