Retail | Wholesale | Food | Beverage 2025: FOSTER JR., WATT R.

In 1989, Foster bought Foster Fuels from his father, the late Watt R. “Bobby” Foster Sr. The younger Foster marks the third generation to run the family business, which was founded in 1921.

A James Madison University alumnus, Foster held the titles of CEO and president until January 2024, when the company named a new president, Will Rohrig, who has been with Foster Fuels since 2009. The change allows Foster to concentrate more on his family’s land conservation efforts and The Foster Foundation, which supports disadvantaged children, scholarship funds and local charities.

Foster, who also serves on the Bank of the James Financial Group’s board, has placed more than 2,000 acres of land under conservation easements.

With 250 employees, Foster Fuels holds the prime contract for emergency fuel delivery with the federal government, receiving in 2024 a contract from the Department of Defense, in partnership with FEMA and DLA Energy, worth up to $442 million over five years. Through its Mission Critical division, the company has responded to multiple relief efforts, including Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti earthquake, Texas ice storms and Hurricane Ian.

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