Francis Guess

Francis Guess
Francis Guess
Born	June 14, 1946.
Died	July 23, 2015 (aged 69); Nashville, Tennessee, US
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Businessman, civil rights advocate, and leading member of the business community
Known for	Served on the Tennessee Commission on Human Rights for more than 30 years

Francis S. Guess (June 14, 1946 – July 23, 2015) was an American civil rights advocate who served on the Tennessee Commission on Human Rights for more than 30 years.

Early life and education

Guess was raised in the Preston Taylor Homes public

master's of business administration (MBA) from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.^[1] Guess also completed Harvard University's Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.^[1]

Career

Guess served on the Tennessee Commission on Human Rights for more than 30 years.

bipartisan federal civil rights commission, where he served from 1983 to 1989.^[1] Guess was also an important leader in Nashville's corporate community, serving as the vice president of The Danner Company and the owner of the Helicopter Corporation of America.^[1]

Death

Guess died at his home in the Bordeaux neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, on July 23, 2015, at the age of 69.[1] He was survived by his mother, Kathryn Driver; his daughter, Maria Guess; and three brothers and three sisters.^[1] His funeral was held at the Music City Center.^[3] Guess also served on the board of directors of the Nashville Convention Center Authority, which oversees the Music City Center.^[3]

In 2015, the Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Fund was created in his name,^[4] and in 2016, the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee began awarding the Francis Guess Bridge to Equality Award, to recognize those who "spur innovation leading to equality."^[5]^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Garrison, Joey (July 24, 2015). "Nashville business leader Francis Guess dies at 69". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
^ Martin, Terry H. "An American Sunrise: The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. A History of ACTION's Three–Year Veteran's Initiative", ACTION, Washington, DC, September 30, 1984, p. 109 (118).
^ ^a ^b Garrison, Joey (July 27, 2015). "Francis Guess funeral arrangements announced". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
^ "The Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Fund". The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Nashville, TN. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
^ Blue, Jalen. "Gail and David Williams honored with Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Award". Vanderbilt University. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
^ "Desegregation Efforts Recognized at Bridge to Equality". The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Nashville, TN. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

[tennessean-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Garrison, Joey (July 24, 2015). "Nashville business leader Francis Guess dies at 69". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 22, 2015.

[2] Martin, Terry H. "An American Sunrise: The Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program. A History of ACTION's Three–Year Veteran's Initiative", ACTION, Washington, DC, September 30, 1984, p. 109 (118).

[tennessean2-3] Garrison, Joey (July 27, 2015). "Francis Guess funeral arrangements announced". The Tennessean. Retrieved August 22, 2015.

[4] "The Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Fund". The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Nashville, TN. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

[5] Blue, Jalen. "Gail and David Williams honored with Francis S. Guess Bridge to Equality Award". Vanderbilt University. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

[6] "Desegregation Efforts Recognized at Bridge to Equality". The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee - Nashville, TN. Retrieved April 15, 2021.

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