Vice President of Strategy & Business Development - Banks & Company Email address - [email protected] National Policy Director for Cannabis & Hemp - Minorities for Medical Marijuana - [email protected] LinkedIn Profile link: http://linkedin.com/in/eric-foster-7779293 Father of two great sons, Jamil (1999-2013) & Xavier Member of Mu Omicron Beta Fraternity Inc. African American Social Service Fraternity - 6/26/94 Eric has 28+ years’ experience in regulatory policy, business development, community engagement, government affairs and talent management. He currently leads collaborative projects with Banks & Company clients, government agencies & business stakeholders in Commercial Marijuana, Pharmacy Benefits Management, Public Education & Energy sectors. Professional career highlights include: * Lead lobbyist, State County and Municipal elected officials, appointed and administrative officials on behalf of the passage and/or adoption of over 160 legislative statues and local ordinances and $2 billion in appropriations in State, County & Municipal Governmental Units. * Currently serves on the State of Michigan's Marijuana Regulatory Agency Racial Equity Taskforce, National Advisory Board member of Minorities for Medical Marijuana & served on the Equitable Economic Development & Mobility Steering Committee for the city of Grand Rapids. * Has worked with over 30 local municipalities & 7 States to lobby for and achieving the adoption of enabling ordinances to allow Medical Cannabis businesses to operate within their jurisdiction. * An active registered lobbyist in Michigan since 2004. Lobbying engagement areas include Cannabis Policy, K-12 education, senior citizen policy, health care (skilled nursing care and long term care needs), municipal operations, public safety, homelessness prevention and veterans’ services. * Provided expert media analysis on local, regional, state, national and international political/governmental affairs for more than 80 local, regional and national media outlets. * Co-host of the Cash Out on Cannabis monthly online Talk Show with Cimone Casson of CannaCapital & Michigan Chapter President for Minorities for Medical Marijuana * Consulted to 72 political campaigns from 2002 to 2020, in roles of Lead Consultant, Chief Strategist, Campaign Manager, Deputy Campaign Manager, Political Director, Field Director, with a 70% victory rate