03/22/2026
FOSTER FACES NEW CHALLENGE
Ellis G. Foster Jr. knows Mobile – its neighborhoods, its challenges, and its potential – from the inside out. A native of the city and a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning and Construction Management, Foster has spent more than a decade working at the intersection of public service, real estate, and community leadership.
He launched SoldByEllisG in 2018, selling residential real estate before turning his focus to affordable housing — using grants and funding to rehabilitate blighted properties and educating first-time homebuyers through the City of Mobile's Down Payment Assistance Class. His civic footprint has been equally wide: he has served on the Mobile Industrial Development Board, contributed to the Mobile Chamber's Growth Alliance Task Force, mentored youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and sat on the boards of the Dearborn YMCA and United Way Emerging Leaders.
Now, as of January, Foster has stepped into one of the city’s most prominent downtown development roles: Economic Development Director of the Downtown Mobile Alliance. In that capacity, he is charged with advancing investment, development, job creation, and long-term growth in the heart of the city – building public-private partnerships and aligning strategies with Mobile's vision for its future.
We sat down with Foster to talk about what drew him to the role, what he sees as downtown’s greatest opportunities, and what he hopes to accomplish.
Q: What are the core responsibilities of the Economic Development Director for the Downtown Mobile Alliance?
A: Relationship Management: Maintaining and building stakeholder connections within the downtown community.
- Business Recruitment: Using data to identify community needs and attract new businesses for maximum benefit.
- Policy Advocacy: Monitoring local ordinances and policies to manage their impact on our stakeholders.
Q: In your view, what are the most significant challenges and advantages you face in achieving your objectives for the DMA?
A: I believe in using creative, modern solutions to ensure citizen safety without dampening the downtown experience. My strategy involves integrating innovation with our historic charm while maintaining the practices that have historically proven successful.
Q: What initially drew your attention to this opening, and what motivated you to pursue the role?
A: The opportunity to have a significant impact on the city where I was born and raised is a tremendous motivation. I have always been involved in my community through local boards and project advocacy; this role allows me to continue that work in a larger capacity.
Q: How has your professional background, particularly your experience as a real estate broker, prepared you for the demands of this position?
A: My background provides a deep understanding of market dynamics, property values, and investment patterns. Having worked with developers, investors, and city stakeholders, I can act as a bridge to take projects from concept to reality. This experience also allows me to effectively support the local brokerage community as we collaborate to fill vacancies downtown.
If you’re looking to be part of Downtown Mobile, contact [email protected].
