Allen Foster is the Mayor of Cumberland County, Tennessee, where he has served since 2018. With more than two decades of public service, Foster has built a reputation for delivering results through persistence, collaboration, and a people first approach.
Born and raised in Cumberland County, Foster began his public service career on the Board of Education in 2002, where he was elected Chairman for three consecutive terms and helped lead the largest school construction project in county history. He later served two terms on the County Commission before being elected County Mayor.
As Mayor, Foster has focused on strengthening essential services, expanding broadband, improving infrastructure, and advancing regional utility partnerships to benefit residents. Under his leadership, the county has secured more than $100 million in grant and matching funds, including a record setting $26 million award for broadband expansion. He serves on the executive boards of several regional organizations, including the Association of County Mayors, the Upper Cumberland Development District, and the Human Resource Agency.
Foster earned both his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and his Master’s in Strategic Leadership from Tennessee Technological University, and he is a Certified Public Administrator through the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service.
His professional career in information technology includes work in state government, health care, manufacturing, higher education, and small business ownership. This experience has given him a broad perspective on problem solving in both the public and private sectors.
The Foster family is deeply rooted in Tennessee Tech. Allen’s late wife, Rebecca, was a two time TTU graduate, earning her BSN from the Whitson Hester School of Nursing in 1990 and her Master’s in Nursing Informatics in 2014. She also served on the TTU Development Council and the Nursing Advisory Board. Following her passing, more than 100 friends and family members contributed to establish the Rebecca Foster Memorial Scholarship Endowment, which now supports nursing students at TTU in perpetuity. Their daughter, Brooke, earned both her BSN and DNP at TTU, now serves as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and continues the family tradition as both an adjunct instructor and member of the TTU Development Council. Their son, Shade, played football for one season at TTU before beginning his career as a police officer with the City of Crossville.
Grounded by deep roots in Cumberland County and inspired by the values he shared with Rebecca, Mayor Foster remains committed to helping people across the county pursue their version of the American dream.
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