Lance Foster
Gulfport,MS
Summary
Dynamic Grants Portfolio Manager with the U.S. Small Business Administration, skilled in risk management and financial analysis. Successfully brokered over $300 million in loans while enhancing compliance frameworks and driving economic development initiatives. Proven ability to cultivate stakeholder relationships and implement strategic portfolio management to achieve organizational goals.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Fraud Examiner
United States Forest Service
Gulfport, Mississippi
01.2023 - Current
- Analyzed financial records for signs of fraudulent activity.
- Stayed abreast of applicable laws and state or federal regulation to report violations.
- Established internal controls and processes to improve regulatory compliance requirements.
- Maintained compliance frameworks, policies and documentation to support audits.
- Mention SINGLE AUDITS and various types of financials i.e. nonprofits required to know and understand
- Identified gaps in existing controls and recommended corrective actions as needed.
- Developed and maintained a comprehensive financial instrument tracking system.
- Produced production reports used in efficiency improvement design.
- Analyzed complex financial documents for program and spending authority purposes.
- Performed secondary mitigation activities for high-risk partners
- Evaluated project proposals for alignment with agency goals and federal guidelines.
- Developed workflow, portfolio management, and statistical analysis systems.
- Reviewing officials for proposals of federal awards issued under 36 separate congressional authorities.
- Authoring employee for the creation and deployment of agency internal control procedures
- Reviewing official for reimbursements and financial/performance reports
- Certified SME for all federal regulations pertaining to 2 CFR 200
- Agency lead in the formulation of strategic policy redesign.
- Monitored partner budgets throughout the agreement lifecycle for compliance purposes.
- Conducted risk assessments to identify potential compliance issues and implement solutions.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align operations with compliance requirements.
- Investigated compliance violations and recommended corrective actions for resolution.
- Analyzed financial records to identify potential fraudulent activities.
- Trained staff on best practices in portfolio management
Regional Director
U.S. Small Business Administration
Gulfport, USA
01.2013 - 01.2022
- Drafted reports summarizing findings from compliance reviews
- Conducted site visits to evaluate performance of funded activities or programs.
- Authored regional strategic plans used to administer commercial lending, procurement, and grant compliance for the state of Mississippi.
- Examined cost reports and invoices against projected outcomes for grant recipients
- Reviewed participating lender loan transaction documentation for discrepancies and fraud risks.
- Portfolio Manager/Reviewer for numerous grant authorities valued at over $40 million.
- Brokered over $300 million dollars in commercial loans for small businesses for the Gulf Coast region
- Conducted over 60 onsite compliance audits of grant recipients.
- Created an extensive post-disbursement disaster loan servicing training series for client stakeholders.
- Regional congressional liaison for conveying programmatic results.
- Provided training to over 5,000 external stakeholders pertaining to lending, contracting, and other business development curricula.
- Designated Advisory Board Member for the Small Business Development Center network, with strategic advisory responsibilities.
- Cultivated relationships with stakeholders to secure partnerships and sponsorships for programs.
- Oversaw grant writing efforts to ensure alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
- Coordinated with internal departments to ensure alignment between development and organizational objectives.
- Facilitated workshops to educate stakeholders on economic growth strategies.
- Analyzed demographic data to identify trends affecting economic planning efforts.
- Collaborated with government agencies to align development policies with community needs.
- Managed communication efforts to promote economic programs and initiatives effectively.
- Developed strategies for increasing access to capital resources for small businesses in underserved communities.
- Prepared detailed lender reports, outlining findings and recommendations for improvement.
- Analyzed financial statements to identify trends and irregularities.
Education
Master’s - Business Administration
The University of Southern Mississippi
01.2018
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Kaplan University
01.2005
Associate of Science - Information Systems
The University of Montana
01.2002
Skills
- Risk management
- Compliance frameworks
- Financial analysis
- Grant tracking
- Portfolio strategy
- Economic development
- Report writing
- Data analysis
Certifications And Organizations
- Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Certified Fraud Examiner Credential, 2025-Present
- National Grants Management Association, CGMS Credential & Certification Appeals Committee Member, 2022-2025
- CDC Grants Management Course, 2022
- Defense Acquisition University, Federal Contracting Certification Level 1, 2013
- Enterprise Risk Management Association, Level One Credit Risk Certified, 2012
- National Association of Small Business, 2012
- International Trade Educators, Certified Global Business Professional, 2012
- United States Army, 1994-2001
Accomplishments
- 2018 University of Southern Mississippi Graduate Student of the Year
Certification
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 2025-Present
(Certified Fraud Examiner Credential)
National Grants Management Association 2022-2025
(CGMS Credential & Certification Appeals Committee Member)
Defense Acquisition University 2013
Federal Contracting Certification Level 1
Enterprise Risk Management Association 2012
Level One Credit Risk Certified
National Association of Small Business 2012
International Trade Educators
Certified Global Business Professional
Timeline
Fraud Examiner
United States Forest Service
01.2023 - Current
Regional Director
U.S. Small Business Administration
01.2013 - 01.2022
Master’s - Business Administration
The University of Southern Mississippi
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Kaplan University
Associate of Science - Information Systems
The University of Montana