Douglas Ivester

Melvin Douglas Ivester (born 1947)

Early life Ivester was born in New Holland, Georgia. He attended New Holland Elementary School, where he met Kay Grindle in the third grade. He grew up to marry her. He attended North Hall High School and went on to the University of Georgia, where he earned a degree in accounting, graduating with honors in 1969 from the university's Terry College of Business. Ivester received the FIFA Order of Merit in 1996.

Ivester serves on the board of directors of SunTrust Bank, now Truist Financial.

In 1996, Ivester was honored with an Edison Achievement Award for his commitment to innovation throughout his career.

In 1999, he earned a Horatio Alger Award for his achievements and pursuit of education despite adversity.

In 2025, Ivester earned an honorary doctorate from the University of Georgia including for his notable support of the university, for his assistance to, and development of, "thousands" of students, and for his professional successes.

Philanthropy Ivester contributes to the University of Georgia and its Terry College of Business as Executive-at-Large through the "Deer Run Fellows" program. He made a $20.5 million endowment to the University of Georgia's School of Nursing in April 2026, which will be named after his wife Victoria Kay Ivester.