Joe Foster was born in the USA and attended the University of Nevada-Reno and the Tennesse Technological University where he studied Science, Business Administration and Geology. He holds a BA, an MBA and an MS degree. Joe started his career as a mine exploration geologist in 1998 with the Pension Mining Company. He joined Van Eck Global in 1996 where he is currently a portfolio manager and has been managing funds for over 11 years. Outside of fund management he lists skiing, hiking and biking as his interests.