Vintage Foster

Bio

Vintage is CEO of AMF Media Group, one of the fastest-growing boutique marketing firms in the nation. Since founding AMF in 2007 in San Ramon, CA, he has opened additional offices in San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas and in early 2019, Vancouver. Vintage has positioned the agency to provide a comprehensive slate of services including creative delivery, branding and marketing, content production, digital services and public communication. The positioning has paid off, with the agency boasting a slate of blue chip national and international brands as well as regional powerhouses. Some of AMF’s national and international clients include or have included HP, Chevron and Jamba Juice. Some of its more regional brands include Kaiser, Cal Poly and FivePoint. Vintage is often sought after by CEOs and corporations for his expertise in Crisis Communications. AMF Media Group was named Crisis Communications Firm of the Year by Dow Jones and Ragan’s PR Daily for its work in facing the Occupy Oakland movement on behalf of its client Alameda Health System.

Vintage has a long record of developing companies to profitability and significant, sustainable growth. As CEO and Publisher of the Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal, he led the publication to its largest revenue growth in a decade. As Publisher of The East Bay Business Times, he led the fastest growing business journal in America for three years running. Vintage serves on the board of directors for Armanino, and he is also a philanthropic leader who has been honored as Citizen of the Year by the Bay Area Leadership Foundation, The East Bay Economic Development Alliance, and as the Scholarship Impact Award recipient by Bay Area Blacks in Philanthropy, for his work for helping disadvantaged youth attend college.

Q&A

Several factors played a role in my decision to partner with Armanino. I had already worked with the firm closely and I loved the people; specifically, Andy Armanino, Lori Colvin and Tammy Ferraez. Working with them piqued my interest. When Andy suggested a potential partnership, we had several discussions about the benefits for both parties. We concluded that a partnership would add value to the firm. It’s a wonderful working environment and we have a phenomenal staff at Armanino. In the end, the people are what really made me feel at ease about my decision.

Also, it didn’t hurt that the office is conveniently three miles from my kids’ school and my house. That’s compared to my former commute – 45 miles one way.

Historically, there is a persona that accountants lack pizzazz and aren’t very dynamic. I can tell you nothing could be further from that idea at Armanino. I really like my partners. They are creative. They think outside the box and they constantly look for ways to make sure that people are valued. I have the same philosophies. Occasionally, I will break a rule, but mostly I simply enjoy having the flexibility to bend them. This is where I probably differ from my peers. They work in a much more regulated capacity.

My children, undoubtedly, are my proudest achievement. Although, I would say they are wonderful despite me. My second proudest achievement would be the creation of the East Bay Leadership Foundation. EBLF provides educational opportunities and scholarships to students from under-served communities in the Bay Area. We have over 100 students in our program.

There are two people. Rolfe Neill, the publisher for the Charlotte Observer and my father. Both told me the same fundamental thing - Be true to yourself and never apologize for doing so. My father taught me how to walk in that advice in life. Rolfe taught me how to apply it in business.

It’s simply not worth it to compromise. Office politics and dishonesty might help you get ahead in the beginning but you will lose in the end. Be true to yourself and to your work. Value people and you will find fulfillment and success.