About Brian A. Foster

Retired Teacher & Government Executive

Brian’s first career was as a 30-year executive in government, 25 of which were as a government consultant in finance and management. In the early 2000’s, Brian was the City of El Cerrito’s Finance Director, City Treasurer, and City Tax Collector. For El Cerrito, he installed a new financial system, issued municipal bonds, and produced and managed the City’s budget.

Throughout that time, Brian participated in the awarding of college scholarships for the University of California Alumni Association. Prior to becoming a school teacher, Brian served as district chair for these scholarships, issuing awards from Union City to Castro Valley.

In 2010, Brian enrolled in Cal State East Bay (Hayward) to obtain his secondary teaching credential. Subsequently, he taught every core Social Studies course from grades 7-12, as well as various electives. Last year while in retirement, Brian discovered that CVHS did not offer AP U.S. Government and Politics to our students, so he offered to teach it part time, but CVHS respectfully declined his offer.

Brian retired in 2024 and is ready to devote his time to serving on the Castro Valley School Board. He has lived in Castro Valley since 1996 and has been involved in various civic activities including the annual Healthy Living Festival, Rowell Ranch Parade, the Fall Festival, the Friends of the Castro Valley Library, and the Eden Area Living Initiative (EALI). He is also a former board member of Bay Area Community Services (BACS), and served on multiple Citizens Bond Oversight Committees, including Chabot-Las Positas Community College’s Measure B and the Hayward Area Recreation District’s (HARD’s) current Measure F. In recent years, Brian has supported college students—including some of his former high school students— through U.C. Berkeley’s mentorship program.

Brian presents a unique blend of training, experience, and skills to help Castro Valley’s schools restore academic excellence. From U.C. Berkeley, he holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Economics (double major) and a master’s degrees in Public Policy. He taught in local school districts for over a decade. He understands school operations from the perspective of a classroom teacher, as well as from the perspective of a governmental executive. He understands first-hand the real issues facing education today, and he remains committed to providing every student the preparation to excel in their choice of college or career.