Foister Named Putnam County 911 Director

Penny Foister will serve as the next director of Putnam County 911.

The change comes six months after the agency’s board established an interim period for the position. Mike Thompson requested to step back from the position earlier this year, citing personal reasons.

The 911 Board accepted Thompson’s request and began discussions internally to name the next director. Foister discussed her interest in the position with County Mayor Randy Porter, and Board Chairman Duncan, and they began a six-month period as interim director, giving Foister the opportunity to perform the functions of the job, while learning the needs from Thompson.

“I believe in promoting from within, wherever possible. We have been fortunate that Penny has been with 911 for many years, most recently as one of the department’s assistant directors. She already had a good grasp on 911 and the needs of the department and its employees,” Porter said. “She has done really well in the interim period and we felt like she was ready.”

“I am humbled by the Board and Mayor Porter’s faith in me,” Foister said. “I have worked with Mayor Porter since the 1990s, and to know he has the faith in me to carry on such an important part of our community is just humbling.”

The 911 board of directors named Foister the new director during its October meeting.