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FOSTER NAMED RCAC HOUSING DIRECTOR

January 24, 2012

West Sacramento, Calif. — Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) named Joni Foster as its housing program director. Foster will join the company on February 1.

Foster has more than 25 years of experience in community development and community building. During her career, she has worked with more than 100 community development organizations in 12 states and two countries, and raised more than $30 million in grants and loans that leveraged more than $100 million in community real estate projects.

Her experience includes 14 years with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) – three as program officer for the Rural LISC program working with organizations in the rural West and 11 as executive director of LISC Jacksonville in Florida. As executive director, she developed leadership, grew community development organizations, designed new programs and invested in revitalization – the development of affordable housing being the first and predominant of strategies. Prior to LISC, Foster worked in the self-help program at Rural California Housing Corporation in Sacramento; and in Nicaragua for El Porvenir where she developed safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. 

Since leaving Jacksonville to move to rural Texas, Foster has been a consultant to NeighborWorks, LISC and other groups engaged in community development. Foster served in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone, and holds a master’s degree in social work with a community organizing, planning and administration emphasis from the California State University, Sacramento.

“I am very excited to have found such a capable leader for our housing programs,” said Stanley Keasling, RCAC chief executive officer. “Joni comes with a great deal of housing and community development experience, and she will be a positive addition to the leadership team at RCAC.” 

Foster will replace Finnly Sutton, RCAC’s current housing director, who recently announced his retirement after 13 years with the organization. Sutton will remain and assist with bringing Foster on board to ensure a smooth transition.

Founded in 1978, RCAC provides a wide range of community development services for rural and Native American communities and community-based organizations in 13 Western states. RCAC has strong core services and expertise in housing, environmental infrastructure (water, wastewater and solid waste), leadership training, economic development and financing.

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