predecessor

n. one who came before (in a job, etc.); ancestor, forefather

A predecessor can be:Someone who, or something which precedes or comes before.A predecessor vertex.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. one who precedes you in time (as in holding a position or office)
(hypernym) precursor, forerunner
(hyponym) forefather
(derivation) precede, come before

n. ancestor, progenitor; precursor

(n.)
One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position.