Joe B. Foster

Who is Joe B. Foster?

Joe B. Foster is an American businessman, oilman and philanthropist from Texas. From 1989 to 2005, Foster was Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company, headquartered in Houston. Previously, Foster was Chairman of Tenneco Oil Company and Executive Vice President and director of its parent, Tenneco Inc. He was with Tenneco for 31 years and also served as Chairman of the Tenneco Gas Pipeline Group.

Foster was born in Arp, Texas and attended Texas A&M University. He graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in general business. In May, 1997, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M University. Foster served as Chairman of the National Petroleum Council, an industry advisory body to the U.S. Secretary of Energy, and in 1995-1996 served as Chairman of the Offshore Committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. He was a Director of Memorial Hermann Hospital System and has served as Chairman of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Greater Houston YMCA, and the Texas A&M Development Foundation. He also served on the Boards of Baker Hughes Incorporated and New Jersey Resources Corporation. Currently, Foster is a chairman and senior advisor at Tudor, Pickering, and Holt.