Bill Foster

Captain Bill Foster, USN (retired) is President of Jones Group Middle East, where he manages the firm’s business in the Middle East-North Africa region and leads a growing Riyadh-based team of consultants, focused primarily on the defense, security, and healthcare markets. Foster brings more than four decades of experience to this role, gained through his work as a naval officer, defense advisor, and management consultant.

Foster began his career as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy. His sea assignments include: USS Mullinnix (DD 944); USS Portland (LSD 37); USS Carr (FFG 52); USS Thomas S. Gates (CG 51); and USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20). He served as Commanding Officer of USS Constitution (66th in command). Foster’s assignments ashore included: Flag Lieutenant for Commander, Military Sealift Command; Surface Junior Officer Detailer in the Bureau of Naval Personnel; Aide to the President of National Defense University; Executive Officer, Command, Control and Communications Directorate (J6), United States European Command; Director of Communications (J6), Joint Task Force Provide Promise; and Director, Center for Career Development, Navy Personnel Command.

Captain Foster retired from the Navy in August 2008. In September 2008, he joined the management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. His work at Booz Allen spanned international commercial, civil, and defense markets. As a Principal in the firm, he led Booz Allen’s Riyadh-based team of over 100 consultants engaged in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Defense Transformation 2015 – 2018.

In 2019, Foster joined Jones Group Middle East as Vice President and General Manager, leading rapid expansion of the company’s business. He assumed his present role as President in October 2021. On his watch, Jones Group Middle East has grown by over 200% year-over-year, gaining the confidence and satisfaction of a diverse group of senior leader clients.

Foster is Chairman of the Board of American Chamber of Commerce in Saudi Arabia, member of the Steering Committee for the World Defense Show 2024 and on the Board of Directors, UNC NROTC Alumni Association. His past board assignments include Board of Directors, UCP of the Mid-South; Board of Directors, American Business Group Riyadh; and Board of Overseers, USS Constitution Museum.

Foster holds a Master of Arts Degree in National Strategic and Security Studies from United States Naval War College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1980 where he earned his commission in the Navy through the NROTC program.