In this episode of The Aggie Effect Podcast, host Terrence Williams sits down with former North Carolina A&T football player, entrepreneur, educator, and transformational philanthropist Geoff Foster '90, founder and CEO of Core Technology Molding Corporation.

Recorded inside Core Technology’s new $28 million facility, Geoff shares an inspiring journey that began with humble beginnings in New Jersey and one suitcase when he arrived at North Carolina A&T. He reflects on the coaches, teammates, and lessons from Aggie Football that continue to influence the way he leads his company today—including a powerful lesson about never taking shortcuts and remembering that you never know who is watching.

Listeners will also hear the remarkable story of how an invention Geoff developed early in his career generated $31 million for his employer—while he received a $99 plaque. That experience became part of the motivation behind launching Core Technology, which grew from three employees into a global manufacturing company serving customers in more than 150 countries.

Geoff speaks candidly about entrepreneurship, including surviving 11 months without taking a personal salary, overcoming the fear of failure, and the breakthrough that led Core Technology to become BMW’s first African American Tier 1 supplier.

The conversation also turns to Geoff and his wife Tonya’s historic investment in North Carolina A&T Athletics—the largest gift in Aggie Athletics history, providing support for 55 scholarships. Geoff explains why he views the contribution not simply as a large gift, but as a sacrificial gift, and why he believes every Aggie can make a difference regardless of the amount they are able to give.

• Geoff’s journey from New Jersey to North Carolina A&T and Aggie Football
• The football coaches and life lessons that helped shape his leadership philosophy
• How football became a blueprint for running Core Technology
• The $31 million invention that helped awaken his entrepreneurial spirit
• Starting Core Technology with just three employees
• Surviving the 2007 recession and 11 months without personal income
• Becoming BMW’s first African American Tier 1 supplier
• Growing Core Technology into a global company serving more than 150 countries
• Geoff and Tonya Foster’s historic commitment to Aggie Athletics
• Why “All Aggies, All In” and sacrificial giving matter to Geoff
• His thoughts on NIL and the changing landscape of college athletics
• His vision for the future of North Carolina A&T Athletics
• The importance of education, mentorship, internships, and creating opportunities for the next generation
• The role Tonya and the Foster family have played throughout his journey
• Advice for young Aggies, entrepreneurs, and future business leaders

This is more than a conversation about business success or philanthropy. It is a story about perseverance, family, education, football, opportunity, giving back, and building a legacy that will impact generations of Aggies to come.

🎙️ The Aggie Effect Podcast

Excellence. Impact. Legacy.

In the inaugural episode of The Aggie Effect Podcast, host Terrence Williams sits down with Franklin McCain Jr., Chairman of the Aggie Athletic Foundation Board and President & CEO of the United Way of Greater Greensboro. Frank shares how North Carolina A&T State University shaped his character, the legacy of his father, Franklin McCain Sr., one of the historic A&T Four, and his bold vision for elevating Aggie Athletics to a national championship level.

What You'll Hear:

• How A&T taught Frank to "make something out of nothing" and why that still drives him today
• The influence of his father, one of the Greensboro Woolworth sit-in protesters, on his approach to leadership and service
• Why Frank believes athletics is the most visible expression of a university's identity
• The Aggie Athletic Foundation's six strategic priorities for the next 12–18 months
• What "winning" really means for student athletes — long after their playing days are over
• How the AAF is modernizing donor engagement (new website, QR codes, digital giving)
• The "All Aggies All In" campaign and how every Aggie can find their place
• Frank's long-term vision: positioning A&T athletics to compete — and win — at the highest national levels
• A candid conversation on the current generation of Aggie students and the responsibility of mentorship
• A sneak peek at an upcoming joint podcast with AAF fundraising chair Willie Deese

The Aggie Athletic Foundation is proud to announce the upcoming launch of our first episode of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁, a new platform created to share the powerful stories, meaningful impact, and lasting legacy of Aggies who continue to make a difference.

Our inaugural episode will feature 𝗔𝗔𝗙 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗹𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗰𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗿. in a thoughtful and inspiring conversation about leadership, service, Aggie pride, and the future of the Aggie Athletic Foundation.

Stay tuned for the official release date and information on how to listen.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁

𝘌𝘹𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦. 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵. 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺.