Antonio Foster for County Commissioner - District 2

Antonio "Tony" Foster answers questions about his campaign to serve as Caswell County Commissioner for District 2.

Antonio "Tony" Foster provided the following responses to questions about his campaign to serve as Caswell County Commissioner for District 2.

Please describe your educational background, including any relevant credentials or specialized training.

My education combines technical, manufacturing, leadership, and adult-education preparation.

Educational background:

North Carolina A&T State University
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology & Manufacturing Engineering
- Master of Science in Adult Education
Rockingham Community College
- Completed one year of post-high-school education before transferring to North Carolina A&T State University.

Please describe your professional background, highlighting specific roles or responsibilities that have prepared you to be successful in the position you are seeking.

My professional background is built on more than three decades of leadership, organizational management, education, logistics, strategic planning, agriculture, and public service.

Military leadership and management:

During my 28-year, four-month Army career, I served in increasingly responsible positions involving:

Command and organizational leadership
Logistics and supply management
Strategic planning
Operations management
Personnel management
International assignments
Training and leadership development
Resource management
18th Airborne Corp Airborne Officer
Coordination across complex organizations

I served as a company commander, senior staff officer, Professor of Military Science/Battalion Commander, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G4, and in other senior leadership positions.

Education and workforce development:

As Professor of Military Science and Battalion Commander at Fort Valley State University, I was responsible for leadership development, education, training, and mentorship of our young minds.
My service as Chairman of the Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees has further strengthened my experience in institutional governance, educational opportunity, workforce development, strategic planning, and community impact.

Community and economic development:

My service on the Caswell County Planning and Comprehensive Planning Boards, EPIC Board, DEEDS, Inc., and the Piedmont Progressive Farmers Group has provided experience with responsible growth, economic development, agriculture, nonprofit governance, and community partnerships.

Agriculture and small business:

As Owner/Operator of Circle F Farm, I have firsthand experience with agriculture and rural enterprise.

Together, these experiences have prepared me to approach the County Commissioner position with an understanding of leadership from several perspectives: government and governance, education, agriculture, workforce development, organizational management, and the day-to-day realities of serving a community.

Please describe any current or previous military experience.

I served 28 years and four months in the United States Army, retiring as an Airborne Lieutenant Colonel in the Quartermaster Corps from Fort Bragg, NC.

I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1983 after graduating from the North Carolina A&T State University Army ROTC program.

My military career included assignments throughout the United States and internationally, including service in:

Fort Lee, Virginia
Germany
Japan
Hawaii
Korea
Georgia
North Carolina
England
The Philippines

Among my significant leadership assignments, I served as:

Company Commander
Executive Officer
Battalion Adjutant/S1 (Personal Officer)
General Supply Officer
Chief Plans/Operations Officer
Deputy Commander and Commander of the 17th Area Support Group in Japan
Chief, International Logistics Division
Joint Task Force Logistics Support Element Commander
Professor of Military Science/Battalion Commander
Assistant Chief of Staff G4, Korea
Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff G4, Fort Bragg
Brigade Executive Officer for 4th Brigade ROTC, Fort Bragg

My military service required me to lead people, manage complex operations, develop strategic plans, allocate resources, solve problems, and work effectively with diverse organizations and communities.

My service was recognized with numerous awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal with six Oak Leaf Clusters.

The greatest lesson I take from military service into public office is simple: leadership is about responsibility, accountability, preparation, and service to others. That same principle has guided my subsequent work in education, agriculture, community organizations, and public service—and it is the foundation I would bring to the Caswell County Board of Commissioners.

Please describe your connection to, and vision for, Caswell County.

Caswell County is home, community, and a place to which I have a deep personal and professional connection. I hail from Pelham, North Carolina, and I have spent years investing my time, leadership, and service in organizations and institutions that affect the people of Caswell County.

My connection to Caswell County is rooted in a belief that strong communities are built through service, responsible leadership, education, economic opportunity, agriculture, and partnerships. My experience serving on local boards, supporting education and workforce development, working with agricultural organizations, and operating Circle F Farm has given me an appreciation for both the opportunities and challenges facing our rural communities.

My vision for Caswell County is a county where:

Economic development creates meaningful opportunities and good-paying jobs.
Small businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs have the support they need to succeed.
Education and workforce development are aligned with the needs of employers and residents.
Infrastructure supports economic growth and quality of life.
County government operates with transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility.
Communities work together (collaborations) rather than operating in isolation.
Young people have reasons to stay, return, and build their futures in Caswell County.

I believe Caswell County has tremendous potential. My goal is to help build partnerships and make strategic investments that allow that potential to become opportunity for families throughout the county.

Please describe your involvement, whether volunteer service or membership, with community, non-profit, or service-based organizations, noting the difference between current and past involvement.

My involvement in the community has centered on education, agriculture, veterans, civic engagement, faith, and service.

Current involvement includes:

Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees — Appointed in 2017 and currently serving as Chairman. My work has focused on educational opportunity, workforce development, and student success.
Caswell County Comprehensive Planning Board — Currently serving and participating in planning for responsible growth and development.
Circle F Farm — Owner/Operator, providing a direct connection to agriculture and rural economic life.
EPIC Board
Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church — Active member in Yanceyville.

Past involvement includes:

Caswell County Planning Board — Served from 2021–2025.
Dillard Education, Economic and Development Service (DEEDS), Inc. — Served as Assistant Treasurer from 2017–2025.
Piedmont Progressive Farmers Group (PPFG) — Served as Executive Secretary of the Board of Directors.
Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church Men's Ministry — Served as Chairman.
Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church Pastoral Selection Committee — Served as Vice Chairman.

I am also a lifetime member of:

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
NAACP
AMVETS
American Legion, Post 210.

These organizations have reinforced for me that community progress requires people who are willing to volunteer their time, accept responsibility, work with others, and remain committed after the spotlight is gone.

Please describe any board service or committee assignments, noting the difference between current and past service.

My board service has provided extensive experience in governance, strategic planning, fiscal oversight, organizational management, and community partnership.

Current board service:

Chairman, Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees
- Appointed to the board by Governor Roy Cooper in August 2017 and reappointed by the Caswell County Commissioners in 2025.
- Elected Vice Chair in 2019.
- Currently serving as Chairman.
- Focus areas include educational opportunity, workforce development, student success, and community impact.
Caswell County Comprehensive Planning Board
- Current member
- Focused on responsible planning and development.

Previous board service:

Caswell County Planning Board — 2021–2025.
Dillard Education, Economic and Development Service (DEEDS), Inc. — Assistant Treasurer, 2017–2025.
Piedmont Progressive Farmers Group — Executive Secretary of the Board of Directors.

These experiences have taught me that effective governance is not simply about making decisions. It is about gathering information, listening to stakeholders, understanding financial and operational consequences, establishing priorities, and holding organizations accountable for results.

My faith is an important foundation of who I am and how I approach leadership and service. I am an active member of Blackwell Missionary Baptist Church in Yanceyville, where I have served as Chairman of the Men's Ministry and Vice Chairman of the Pastoral Selection Committee.

My guiding scripture is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”

My faith reminds me that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege to be used for personal benefit. It calls me to approach people with respect, serve others, act with integrity, and make decisions with humility.

I believe public service should be guided by:

Integrity
Accountability
Compassion
Discipline
Respect
Service
Stewardship
A willingness to listen

I also recognize that a public official represents an entire community. My faith informs my personal values, but my responsibility as a Commissioner would be to serve every resident fairly and respectfully, regardless of background, beliefs, or circumstances.

What do you believe is currently the greatest strength of Caswell County and how would you build upon that strength if elected?

I believe one of Caswell County's greatest strengths is its people and its potential for community partnership/collaborations.

Caswell County has residents who care deeply about their communities, a strong agricultural tradition, educational institutions, small businesses, civic organizations, churches, and people willing to serve. My own experience working across education, agriculture, planning, nonprofit organizations, and community institutions has shown me the value of bringing those assets together.

If elected, I would work to build upon that strength by encouraging greater collaborations among:

County government
Piedmont Community College
Farmers and agricultural organizations
Small businesses and entrepreneurs
Workforce-development partners
Educational institutions
Nonprofit and civic organizations
Municipal governments
Regional economic-development partners

In 2025 I led a collaboration meeting with all community leaders in Caswell and Person County.

Rather than asking what government can accomplish alone, I believe we should ask, “Who needs to be at the table to solve this problem?” If you are not at the table you could be on the menu!

What do you believe is the greatest challenge currently facing Caswell County and how would you address that challenge if elected?

I believe one of the greatest challenges is creating sustainable economic opportunity while preserving the strengths and character of our rural communities.

Economic development is connected to many of the issues residents experience every day: employment, wages, workforce preparation, small-business growth, infrastructure, transportation, education, and the ability of young people and families to build a future locally.

I would address this challenge by focusing on several interconnected priorities:

Economic development — Pursue responsible development that brings jobs and investment to Caswell County.
Workforce development — Continue strengthen the connection between education, workforce training, and the actual needs of employers.
Small-business support — Encourage an environment in which local businesses and entrepreneurs can grow.
Agriculture — Recognize agriculture as both an economic asset and an important part of Caswell County's identity.
Infrastructure — Advocate for infrastructure improvements necessary to support residents and economic growth.
Partnerships/Collaborations — Leverage existing institutions and regional, state, and federal resources rather than expecting the County to finance every initiative alone.

My approach would be strategic: identify the highest priorities, determine what resources are available, establish measurable objectives, and hold ourselves accountable for results.

Please describe the role you believe County Commissioners, at both an individual and board level, should play in the financial management of the County. Are there specific actions that you intend to take, or advocate for?

County Commissioners have a fundamental responsibility to be good stewards of public resources.

Individually, a commissioner should understand the County's financial condition, ask informed questions, review proposed expenditures, understand the consequences of decisions, and remain accountable to taxpayers.

Collectively, the Board should:

Establish clear financial priorities.
Develop and maintain a responsible annual budget.
Monitor expenditures against the approved budget.
Evaluate programs based on effectiveness and community need.
Protect essential services.
Avoid unnecessary spending.
Advocate for audits.
Seek opportunities to leverage outside funding.
Maintain transparency with residents.
Plan for both immediate needs and long-term capital requirements.

My military and board leadership experience has taught me the importance of accountability, planning, disciplined resource management, and understanding the relationship between available resources and mission requirements.

If elected, I would advocate for a budget process that asks three basic questions:

What are we trying to accomplish? What will it cost? What results will taxpayers receive for that investment?

Please describe the role you believe County Commissioners, at both an individual and board level, should play in economic development. Are there specific actions that you intend to take, or advocate for?

County Commissioners should provide leadership, establish priorities, create a favorable environment for investment, and bring the right partners together.

The County should not attempt to be the employer or operator of every economic-development initiative. Instead, Commissioners should serve as strategic organizers and stewards of the County's economic-development interests.

If elected, I would advocate for:

Stronger partnerships with Piedmont Community College and workforce-development organizations.
Workforce training that responds to actual and emerging employer needs.
Support for small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Responsible development of available industrial and commercial properties.
Continued support for agriculture and agricultural entrepreneurship.
Infrastructure improvements that make economic development possible.
Greater use of state and federal economic-development resources.
Regional partnerships that allow Caswell County to compete more effectively.

My experience with Piedmont Community College, agricultural organizations, planning, nonprofit organizations, and my own agricultural operation gives me a practical understanding that economic development is not simply about recruiting a company. It is about preparing the workforce, providing infrastructure, supporting existing businesses, and creating an environment in which investment can succeed.

Residents want to better understand the factors that influence your decision-making. What are the values, priorities, or beliefs informing your thought process? Who are the individuals or groups that you look to for guidance? How would those influences and your experience shape the performance of your duties as Commissioner?

My decision-making is grounded in service, integrity, accountability, discipline, collaboration, and long-term thinking.

My military career taught me to analyze complex problems, develop plans, manage resources, lead diverse teams, and make decisions under challenging circumstances. My education and professional experience strengthened my understanding of technology, manufacturing, adult education, workforce preparation, and organizational leadership.

My community and board service have taught me something equally important: good decisions require listening.

When making decisions, I would seek input from:

Residents and constituents
County staff and subject-matter experts
Business and agricultural leaders
Educational and workforce-development partners
Other elected officials and community leaders
Relevant state and federal agencies
People directly affected by a proposed decision
Encourage people to bring solutions with their problems

Ultimately, however, a Commissioner must be willing to accept responsibility for his or her vote.

I would bring a servant-leader mindset to the position—listen carefully, evaluate the facts, consider the financial and community impact, make the best decision possible, and remain accountable for the outcome.

I have spent my adult life preparing to lead, serve, and solve problems. From the United States Army to Piedmont Community College, from agriculture to local planning and nonprofit service, my career has consistently placed me in positions requiring responsibility, accountability, collaboration, and strategic thinking.

I am not seeking the office of Caswell County Commissioner simply to hold a title. I am seeking it because I believe my experience, education, community involvement, and commitment to service can help Caswell County move forward.

My commitment is to listen to the people, establish clear priorities, manage public resources responsibly, build partnerships, and work for measurable results for the people of Caswell County.

Strategies cannot be fully implemented without the necessary resources. A vision must be financed. Please describe how your vision might be constrained by the County budget, how those budgetary concerns shape your priorities, and the actions you believe are necessary to address those funding challenges.

I understand that a vision must be financially responsible.

The County cannot fund every worthwhile project simultaneously. Limited resources mean Commissioners must establish priorities, distinguish essential services from desirable projects, and determine which investments will provide the greatest long-term benefits to the majority of the residents.

My approach would be to:

Establish clear priorities before committing resources.
Evaluate proposed expenditures based on measurable community benefits.
Protect core County services.
Identify opportunities to reduce inefficiency and duplication.
PURSUE GRANTS and state and federal funding wherever appropriate.
Build partnerships that allow multiple organizations to share costs and resources.
Encourage economic development that expands the County's tax base responsibly.
Use long-range planning rather than reacting only to immediate needs.

My experience in military logistics and senior organizational leadership required me to understand that resources are never unlimited. Successful organizations establish priorities, allocate resources according to mission requirements, monitor performance, and adjust when circumstances change.

I would bring that same disciplined approach to County government.

Contact

🗣️ Antonio "Tony" Foster will be available at the September 19 Bright Leaf Hoedown to speak with residents.

📲 You can find Antonio "Tony" Foster's campaign page on Facebook.

📧 You can also contact Antonio "Tony" Foster via email at elect.antonio2026@gmail.com.