Lynchburg, Va., November 11, 2019 –
Foster Fuels’ President and CEO Watt R. Foster Jr., and his late father, Watt Robert “Bobby” Foster, were inducted into the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance Hall of Fame on November 8th, 2019.
This honor is reserved for those who “lead by example and provide inspiration for all generations in the region, having experienced a lifetime of business success and having set powerful examples for others to follow.”
The Foster family began serving Central and Southside Virginia when L.H. Foster arranged with Texaco to become the area’s first Texaco jobber. He worked diligently to fulfill the petroleum needs of the community. His two sons, L.H. Foster Jr. and Watt Robert “Bobby” Foster continued his work and expanded the family-run business by acquiring other jobbers. In 1958, Bobby assumed control of the company and started a propane gas distributorship which became one of the largest and most successful in Virginia.
In 1989, Bobby (Watt Sr.) sold Foster Fuels to Watt Jr., his son. Bobby and Watt Jr. continued to run the family-owned company together like the sale never happened. Bobby remained President and participated in all important decisions. Watt Jr. did everything from driving a truck to service and work sales!
Watt Jr. and Watt Sr. continued to expand the company across central VA with a new headquarters and facility to hold the growth. This growth continued as the company developed an industry-leading Mission Critical division alongside its residential and commercial efforts. The father and son duo continued their work together until Watt Robert “Bobby” Foster Sr. passed away in 2014.
As Foster Fuels looks to the future, Watt R. Foster Jr. continues his fathers’ legacy of growing Foster Fuels while focusing on giving back to his local community. The Watt Foster Family Foundation was founded in 2018 as a way for Watt. R. Foster Jr. and his family to support the local organizations which benefit communities across central Virginia. The foundation annually gives to needy children, scholarships, and many local charities. As the foundation continues to grow over time, it is Foster’s intention to leave a legacy of giving for many Foster generations to come. Learn more about Foster Fuels’ philanthropic efforts.
