Paul Grangaard, who became CEO of upscale men’s shoemaker Allen Edmonds nine years ago and led a turnaround that has seen the Port Washington-based firm nearly double employment, will step down to pursue as-yet unspecified interests.

Grangaard, 59, was a partner at Minneapolis private equity firm Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison when it bought Allen Edmonds in 2006, and took charge as CEO two years later.

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He remained after Los Angeles-based Brentwood Associates acquired Allen Edmonds in 2013.

Grangaard’s departure – his choice, he said – comes after the purchase of Allen Edmonds last December by publicly traded footwear company Caleres Inc.

Last week, Caleres named Malcolm Robinson president of a new division that includes Allen Edmonds.