Edward Douglas Grindstaff Sr. — a prominent Brentwood business executive, investor and major player within the Williamson County Republican Party — has died.

He was 85.

Doug Grindstaff

Doug Grindstaff as seen in an undated photo

The Knoxville-born Grindstaff, who died Oct. 2 of an undisclosed cause, is perhaps best known locally for having served as president and chief executive officer of Nashville-based footwear company Genesco Inc.

According to his obituary, Grindstaff was a former president of the Toronto operations for Cincinnati-based The Procter & Gamble Company.

Venture Nashville Connections (VNC) reports Grindstaff took an early-stage executive role in Knoxville-founded life science NuMeta Sciences. That company later moved to Nashville, landing venture capital from Nashville-based entities Mountain Group Capital, TriStar Technology Ventures, Hatteras Venture Partners, among others (read here).

Grindstaff previously served as chairman of the Williamson County Republican Party and as a statewide co-chair Randy Boyd's 2018 primary campaign for governor of Tennessee. Gov. Bill Lee won that election.

The 106th Tennessee General Assembly in 2010 recognized Grindstaff for his professional achievements, his public service, and his efforts to advance the Republican Party in Williamson County and the state. The joint resolution noted his advocacy for "preservation of conservative values."

Grindstaff served on the boards of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cumberland Science Museum and the Nashville Symphony Association, while also offering support for Saint Thomas Hospital, the United Way, the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society and Boy Scouts of America.

Survivors include wife Rose Miller Grindstaff, sister Wanda Rietdorf, four adult children, 12 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.