I was born and raised in Sag Harbor, my family roots date back to the 1600’s in East Hampton and Southampton. After graduation from Pierson in 1989,I began my career as a Public Safety Dispatcher with the Village of East Hampton where I currently serve as Department Head of the 911 system coordinating the dispatching of Emergency Services from Montauk to Sag Harbor. After a very fulfilling 35 plus year career I will be retiring at the end of this year. I will have plenty of time to devote my full attention to serving the Town of East Hampton as a Council Member.

I am married to Sandy Geehreng Foster, we have raised both of our children, Emma and James here in East Hampton. Sandy is the owner/practitioner of SGF Acupuncture, PLLC located in Amagansett. I assist Sandy with her business, so I am very familiar with what it takes to be a small business owner here on the East End. 

I have devoted much of my free time serving my community in several ways. I was a member of the East Hampton Town Planning Board in 2012 and 2013. I have also served on the Town of East Hampton’s Wireless Committee and the East End Ambulance Coalition. I am currently a member the LTV Board. I have been an elected member of East Hampton Union Free School District Board of Education  for 12 years, serving the last 11 of them as Board President. The Board oversees an $88,000,000 budget with 375 employees (one of the largest employers in the Town) with approximately 2,000 students. Financially, during my tenure the District has always passed its budget with overwhelming community support, including 2 of the 12 budgets that required piercing the tax cap.  Community trust is key and I believe we have built that over the years.

We have focused on fiscal responsibility. We have been at the forefront of Districts working cooperatively on shared services that save each of the  participating Districts. We have completed many facility upgrades including our Transportation Facility that again allows more shared services with our neighboring districts. 

My goal for serving as your next Council Member is to bring what I have learned from serving my community in these roles. I have been graced with many mentors over the years and I believe I can take what I have learned and bring my ability to build consensus, along with common sense, to the Town Board.