Suzanne Moses Persinger

When Suzanne Moses Persinger, chief operating officer of Moses Auto Group, goes to work, it’s not just about selling cars and running a business. It’s about family, deep roots and making a difference in her community. Moses Persinger’s grandfather, Jackson Moses, started Moses Auto Group in Welch, WV, almost 80 years ago.

“I am a proud, third-generation member of my family business,” Moses Persinger says. “My father, his siblings and several of my cousins work or have worked in the family business. I love the unique opportunity of working with my immediate and extended family members every day.”

Moses Persinger’s first job was at the dealership, filling the Coke machines with her sister, Meredith. After graduating from The Ohio State University and the University of Virginia School of Law, her first professional position was as a clerk for Judge Robert King on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

“My first jobs taught me to show up on time—and that means early, work hard and always be willing to listen and learn,” she says. “I always want to be and do my best. It is what drives me every day.”

Today, she oversees the operation of Moses Auto Group’s 10 dealership locations, including the sales, service and collision centers.

“My favorite part of my job is working with the incredibly smart and talented people at Moses Auto Group,” she says. “I also enjoy so many things about the car business. We are always working on something new while still maintaining our core values and goals.”

Moses Persinger and her husband, Courtney, chose to raise their three children, Virginia, Hazel and George, among family and familiar neighborhoods. She brings her love of family to her community service.

“Causes that help women and children get the support they need hold a special place in my heart,” she says. “I feel strongly about giving back to the people and communities that support Moses Auto Group.”

Moses Persinger is a Read Aloud volunteer in local classrooms and a mentor in the Education Elevators program. She has also served on the boards of the Capitol Market, Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center and West Virginia Automobile Dealers Association. Additionally, she has been a trustee at the First Presbyterian Church.

Although her favorite childhood memories include summers playing spotlight at night with the neighborhood kids on Morningside Drive, Moses Persinger has continually broadened her horizons. As a child, she showed and rode American Saddlebred horses and, after graduating from law school, backpacked through Europe with her sister.

Moses Persinger has had many mentors in her life; however, she credits her father with giving her the love of the family business and her community.

“My dad has worked in the automotive business for almost 50 years, and he showed me how rewarding owning your own business and making an impact on your community can be,” she says.
Moses Persinger says her biggest success is her happy, healthy children. Although the family may take off for ski weekends or bluegrass festivals, Charleston is where real life happens.

“Most of our family is here, and the community feels like a big, extended family too,” she says. “People here are down to earth, genuinely kind and always happy to lend a hand. These are important values we want to teach our children, and we know West Virginia is a great place to do it.”