Councilmember: Henry L. Foster III
Henry L. Foster III, the Councilmember for District Four in the City of San Diego, is deeply rooted in his community. As a third-generation resident of Valencia Park, he is proud to carry on the legacy of his grandfather, Henry L. Foster Sr., who owned and operated H.L. Foster Construction Company, Inc. The company seal, a symbol of his family's contribution to the city, can be seen along sidewalks across San Diego County. Henry's commitment to his district is further demonstrated by his service as Chief of Staff for former District Four Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe. When she was elected County Board Supervisor, Henry, too, stepped in as Chief of Staff. This year, he won a special election to fill the vacant seat in District Four, a testament to his strong ties to the community.
Henry has more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry. He has completed construction projects totaling over $1B of work. Before his role as Chief of Staff, he held the position of Equal Opportunity Contracting Program Manager for the City of San Diego, where he participated in the award of over $5B in construction, goods and services, and consultant contracts. Henry was responsible for implementing equity-based programs. These include the Small Local Business Enterprise Program, the Equal Employment Opportunity Program Ordinance, the Non-Discrimination in Contracting Ordinance, and the Title VI Program. Also, while serving in this capacity, he was designated the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO) for the City of San Diego.
Before his time at the City, Henry was Vice President and Operations Manager at Paragon Builders Inc. He also worked with Manchester Construction Management, LP., Turner Construction, Walsh Construction, Nielsen- Dillingham Builders and Gilbane Building Company.
Henry graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in Lincoln Park. He continued his academic pursuits at Hampton University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Technology. His time at Hampton was not only academically enriching but also personally fulfilling, as he was initiated into the Beta Chi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Today, he remains an active member of the San Diego Alumni chapter. Henry's commitment to family is demonstrated in his role as a devoted husband and father of two, instilling in them the same values that have guided his life.