Kenneth Wayne Foster, who together with his wife raised a large family and built several successful businesses, died Wednesday at 75 years old. With a goal of creating employment, Foster’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of The Systems Specialist, Stonegate Estates, American Patriot Getaways, and Foster Enterprises. His desire to give back also included Foster serving on the board of several local organizations.
Foster was born in Daviess County on Feb. 5, 1947, to Kenneth Edge Foster and Mary Lou Simpson Foster. He attended Philpot Elementary and Daviess County Junior High before graduating from Daviess County High School in 1965.
Foster’s first job was working on a farm with his paternal grandfather, Martin L. Foster. At age 12 he picked and sold strawberries, and he also had a paper route. At age 13 he raised his own tobacco crop, and at 16 went to work at Winn Dixie.
After graduation, Foster enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, where he received training in computer programming, a skill that later launched his business career.
Foster then returned to Owensboro where he graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1969 while working full time. He eventually worked at Systems Resources, where he honed his skills as a systems analyst.
On Feb. 14, 1975, Foster married Cathy L. Bender.
In 1976, Foster joined the Madisonville office of AMCA Resources, an international mining operation. While there, he recognized the need for software specific to the mining industry. Wayne and Cathy eventually made a trip to a potential client in Pittsburgh, and he returned with a contract and $20,000.
That was the start of The Systems Specialist. From its humble beginnings, the company grew to be a major business partner with IBM.
As IBM marketing strategy changed, Foster took advantage of new opportunities to sell IBM hardware. In 1990, The Systems Specialist was named IBM Business Partner of the Year. From their barn office in Philpot, they sold more mid-range equipment than firms in Chicago, Indianapolis, and St. Louis.
When asked about the success, Foster said “I don’t think of myself as a salesman. I go into a client’s office with the attitude that I’m helping them solve a problem.”
Foster later decided to branch out, partnering with Melvin Pagan to develop Stonegate Estates. The property on KY 54 was the same piece of land where he picked and sold strawberries as a boy.
Foster discovered that he enjoyed the real estate business, so he purchased a couple of rental cabins in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, as investments. When there was no property company that fit his needs, Foster created American Patriot Getaways. Foster eventually sold The Systems Specialist to focus on the rental company.
Using his technology background, Foster and his team developed the first interactive website in the Smoky Mountain rental business. That allowed potential guests to view and book properties online.
American Patriot Getaways grew to manage nearly 500 rental properties, the largest rental company in the Smoky Mountain area.
Foster’s focus went well beyond his successful businesses. He served for 20 years on the Kentucky Wesleyan College board, including 4 as chairman. He also helped guide the renovation of downtown Owensboro as chairman of the Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
Foster also served on the Owensboro-Daviess County Airport board and the Daviess County Economic Advisory Council. He also got to was invited to and participated in George W. Bush’s Presidential Small Business Council.
He additionally served as an elder at Owensboro Christian Church, and was active with Habitat for Humanity and the Daviess County High School Boosters, among other organizations.
At the time of his death, Foster was serving as executive board chairman at Hollison.
Wayne and Cathy had 7 children. His obituary reads, “By example he taught them the value of having a good work ethic and the importance of being humble, giving back to their community, and to care for others. Most importantly he passed along his faith in a loving God and being a servant leader. He told them each they were leaders, not followers, and that with leadership came responsibility.”
Foster was recognized for his achievements and kindness. In 2012, he was inducted into the KWC Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2020, he was inducted into the Junior Achievement of West Kentucky’s annual Owensboro Business Hall of Fame. He was also named 2003 Kentucky Businessman of the Year; the 2005 Owensboro Entrepreneur of the Year; and was given the 2006 President’s National Leadership Award.
Visitation will be held November 21 from 2-8 p.m. at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and November 22 from 9-10 a.m. at Owensboro Christian Church, where services will then be held at 10 a.m.
