About Steve ~ Biography ~ Personal Interests

Stephen Earl (Steve) Foster: 

Following are experts from my Journals, notes, and résumé:

I  was born in Indianapolis Indiana June 18, 1937. Married to Marina Zaydes from St Petersburg Russia.

Graduated from Carmel High School (Indiana) in 1955, active in sports,  was Captain of both my  senior year Football and Basketball teams. I attended Franklin College and other Colleges including specialized courses at Danville Area Community College In my Early years I was an active member of the J C’s, and Life Underwriting Training Council, taught LUTC at Elmhurst College. I was a  Manager with Prudential Insurance in the 1960s. In the 1970s I was a Charter member Oriental Rug Retailers  Association, having studied Textiles and Eastern Rug weaving for five years, I started own business in Indianapolis and later Louisville, Importing and Exporting Oriental Rugs, and also dealing in fine art and furnishings. I did curative work with Indianapolis Museum of Arts. Lectured on oriental rugs and Eastern cultures, held scheduled classes in Eastern rug weaving for  several years in Louisville Kentucky. I primarily traded in Rugs, Fine Art, Antiques, Textiles, and furnishings. In the 1970s I operated the largest Oriental Carpet store in Kentucky.

In 1983 I moved to Danville Illinois and eventually founded Foster Aviation Corporation, Indianapolis, Indiana & Danville, Charleston-Mattoon, Shelbyville, Illinois I provided airport operational support at four locations, including fueling, flight training, aircraft maintenance and sales, (Cessna, Piper and Beechcraft Dealer).  Operated an Aircraft refurbishing-paint-interiors company. I wrote the manual for FAA Part 135 Air Charter certificate, Certified Air Carrier 1985 offering private charter services throughout USA operating light twins to jet turbo-props. In 1992 I developed the manual for FAA Part 141 Advanced Flight School. I was Certified 1992 for Primary, Commercial, Multi-Engine, and Instrument Flight training with staff FAA Examiner. Served as Chief of Operations 1985-1994. Also appointed by FAA as FAA Certified Safety Counselor 1985-1994. . Also acted as Airport Manager at two location, responsible for all maintenance and FAA regulatory compliances. I was Active Civil Air Patrol 1984-1988,  serving as a  Captain, USAFR-CAP. Beginning 1985 I served on the Board of Directors Illinois Aviation Trades Association - In 1988 I was elected President of the association. I was a licensed Commercial Pilot, FAA certified instrument- multi engine flight instructor.  I retired from aviation and sold the business in the Fall of 1994

Present

1996 Founder of BEAMSCO (Business E-commerce Applications &  Marketing Services COmpany) 1995-to Present. Originally offering Business evaluations, marketing consulting, small community economic development consulting, business brokerage and, correlated acquisitions and stock transfers. Commercial Real Estate brokering. Initial Business set up services.

IN 2000 BEAMSCO expanded to provide E-commerce service to businesses in the areas of Computer and Internet Services, providing Websites and internet marketing applications.  As Webmaster for BEAMSCO by 2008 we have created more than one-hundred additional commercial and personal websites throughout the US.

Activates since coming to Danville include: Member Board of Directors, Danville Symphony Orchestra 1989, President 1992 and 1997. Member of National Old Time Music Preservation Association 1989, Board of Directors 1990-1994 Boys and Girls Club,  Board of Directors, Vice President 1990. I served on the  Board of Directors DSO Foundation 1992,  President 1993. In 1994 I was one of the Founding Directors Vermilion Heritage Foundation 1984, Board of  Directors 1984-1998

In 1991 I was appointed to the City of Danville Historic Preservation Commission and was elected the first Commission Chairman. I was an active member of Danville Rotary (185 members) 1985 -1997. Served on the  Board of Directors 1993-1994 . Was a Paul Harris Fellow and was  President Elect in 1995

I also was a Member of the Danville Boat Club, Board of Directors 1989-1993 Elected Commodore 1991 & 1992. Other involvement included Board of Directors Danville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau 1992-1998. In 1991 I served on the  Oversight Committee for  the first Danville City Strategic Planning Project 1991-1993, 2000-2001.

I was elected to Danville City Council in 1992, reelected in 1996, and reelected again in 2000. I was appointed to the public Services Committee with oversight of Police-Fire and the Finance Departments. Was a Candidate for Mayor of Danville 1995. Elected-Vice Chair Public Services Committee 1992-1996,. I was appointed to the Public Works in 1996 and in  2005, I was elected Vice Mayor  in 2000 serving until 2002. Was elected Chairman Public Works Committee in 2003. In 2005 I was elected to a forth term to the City Council by a one vote margin of 437 to 436  votes cast out of 3,880 registered voters. This was a record close margin in an historically close ward, ( I won by 19 votes in 1997). On May 2, 2005 I was sworn in after a recount earlier in the day initiated by my opponent  sustained the one vote margin. I was then appointed to the Public Service Committee and the Finance Sub-committee. (See commentary on the one vote election).

In 2009 I was reelected to the Danville City  Council with 73% of vote and was appointed to the Public Service committee and elected vice - chair.