North Carolina A&T State University alumnus Geoff Foster has been doing so for several years.

Foster is the chief executive officer and president of Core Technology Molding Corporation – a plastic manufacturing company located in Greensboro – and an adjunct professor in the School of Technology’s department of applied engineering technology.

“These are both of my passions. I love being an entrepreneur and I love teaching,” said Foster.

He earned a bachelor and a master’s degree in industrial technology with a concentration in applied engineering technology in 1990 and 1996, respectively. He spends what’s left of his free time serving as faculty advisor for the Society of Plastics Engineers on campus.

“I had great professors and mentors while I was in graduate school,” said Foster. “I learned so much about plastic manufacturing which later helped me discover what I was passionate about,” he added.

Foster worked as an engineer with AMP Inc. & Tyco Electronics in roles of quality engineering, product engineering and product management. His big moment came while working on an automotive part for Ford Motor Company, when he was awarded a U.S. patent for a sealed electric connector. The company has since used over 31 million of these parts in the Ford, Lincoln, Jaguar and Mercury models.

While this accomplishment was a feather in his cap, it also was the catalyst that helped him shift his focus from being employee to becoming an entrepreneur. He attended the Babcock Graduate School of Business at Wake Forest University and went on to earn an MBA with a concentration in marketing management in 2001.

In 2006, Foster formed Core Technology which quickly secured its place in the plastic manufacturing marketplace, growing into a $4 million company with approximately a dozen employees and connecting with clients like TE Connectivity (BMW, Bosch, Ford, Chrysler, GM, Visteon, Lear, Panasonic & Alpine), Bausch & Lomb Global Surgical, Novant Health, Tyco Electronics, Newell Rubbermaid, Husqvarna Group and Volvo/Mack. Core Technology competes in the automotive, heavy truck, medical device, consumer products and outdoor equipment markets. It is one of six minority-owned plastic manufacturing corporations in the country and the only minority company that houses a Class 10,000 and 1,000 medical clean room – a feature that has allowed the company to enter the biological pharmaceutical market and secure Merck Corporation as one of its newest clients.

But Foster’s zeal for success extends beyond his business. He is equally passionate about teaching and giving back to the younger generation. Since its inception, Core Technology has provided A&T students with internships, co-ops and full-time employment.

“This is what it’s all about. It’s about giving back and helping students see their potential,” said Foster, the adjunct professor who still gets excited talking about the polymer process, advanced manufacturing systems and composite materials.

“(Core Technology) recently became a partner with Guilford County Schools with their STEM program,” Foster said.

“Through this partnership, we will be having parents and students visit the plant and we will have an opportunity to expose them to advanced manufacturing,” he said.

Core Technology Molding Corporation is one of eight companies recently recognized as an outstanding a minority-owned business by the North Carolina Statewide Minority Enterprise Development. The award is given to individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves by operating successful businesses that help create diversity in the marketplace.

The company also garnered an award by the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (CVMSDC) as the 2014 MBE Class II Supplier of the Year (with sales between $1-$10 million).

Since 2010, Foster has held a seat on the Board of Directors with the Carolina Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. which is a national affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. He also serves as the Triad Regional Advisory Council-Committee chair where he volunteers to help develop other minority business enterprises and mentor small business owners.

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