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News

Introducing Christopher M. Foster: 2026 Vice President, District 3

Sep 13, 2025

 

Christopher M. Foster
CEO
Whitehead Electric Company
Mableton, GA
Atlanta Chapter, NECA

BACKGROUND

Foster is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and spent nine years in the Air Force before being honorably discharged as a Captain in 1997. Upon leaving the Air Force, he returned to Atlanta and began working for Whitehead Electric Company. Foster received an MBA in Finance from Georgia State University in 2001, and during his career at Whitehead, has worked as an Apprentice, Project Manager, Chief Financial Officer, and President before becoming the CEO in 2011.

COMPANY INFORMATION

Whitehead Electric Company was founded in 1938. Foster purchased the company from his father in 2011 and is currently the only shareholder. His son, Cooper Foster, also works for Whitehead Electric and is the 3rd generation of the family to work there. Whitehead Electric performs a variety of new construction work including data centers, hospitals, schools, hotels, and office buildings. They mostly do work in Atlanta and the surrounding metro areas and have an annual sales volume of around $40 million.

INVOLVEMENT WITH NECA

Whitehead Electric Company has been a member of the Atlanta Chapter since 1939. Foster has been involved with NECA as President of the Atlanta Chapter from 2017 to 2020 and Governor from 2023 to 2024. He has also served as a trustee for the local benefit funds since 2008. Foster currently serves on NECA’s Council on Industrial Relations and has been a member of the Academy of Electrical Contracting since 2022. Foster believes that providing training and resources—at a scale that supports both the largest and smallest contractors—is the most important service NECA offers.

 

INDUSTRY OBSERVATIONS

Consolidation within the industry, an increase in the number of large-scale projects, and the growing pace of technology are all changes that have and will continue to challenge NECA and its member contractors in the coming years. The continued shortage of available labor has been a growing problem for our contractors over the past two decades. NECA and IBEW need to strive to find new sources of recruitment and training together to meet this need or we risk losing valuable market share to our non-union competitors that we will struggle to gain back.

AWAY FROM THE OFFICE

Chris and his wife, Ellen, have been married for 27 years. They met in the Air Force where Ellen was a nurse. Their son, Cooper, works at Whitehead Electric and their daughter, Caitlin, is a senior at the University of Georgia and is planning to pursue a career in medicine after she graduates. In their free time, the Fosters enjoy playing golf and pickleball. They are avid Georgia Bulldogs fans and enjoy following college football.