Sun Auto Tire & Service Names Susie Long as Chief People Officer to Drive Growth and Strengthen People-First Culture
Sun Auto Tire & Service, a leading provider of automotive maintenance and repair services across the United States, has announced the appointment of Susie Long as its new Chief People Officer (CPO). The addition of Long to the executive leadership team reflects the company’s continued focus on building a high-performance culture, investing in leadership excellence, and scaling its workforce strategy to match its rapid national expansion.
With an impressive career spanning more than two decades in human resources, organizational transformation, and leadership development, Long brings a deep understanding of how to align people and performance to business outcomes. Most recently, she served as Chief Human Resources Officer for Bridgestone Americas West, where she oversaw talent management, organizational effectiveness, and culture initiatives across a global workforce spanning the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
In her new role at Sun Auto Tire & Service, Long will be responsible for leading the company’s comprehensive people strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, leadership development, employee engagement, organizational design, and scalable HR systems. Her mandate will include strengthening Sun Auto’s talent infrastructure to support continued growth while maintaining the company’s values-driven and service-oriented culture.
A Strategic Appointment Aligned with Growth
As Sun Auto continues to expand its footprint—now boasting over 525 locations across 25 states—the appointment of a seasoned people leader underscores the company’s commitment to sustainable growth built on human capital excellence. Under Long’s leadership, Sun Auto aims to further enhance its teammate experience, implement scalable talent systems, and reinforce its mission of providing exceptional service through empowered, engaged employees.
Tony Puckett, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Auto Tire & Service, emphasized the critical role that people play in the company’s success:
Sun’s growth story is powered by our people,” Puckett said. “We seek to create an environment where strong leaders and great teams can thrive. Susie’s lifetime of experience designing scalable talent and performance systems will help us strengthen the foundation that fuels our growth, our value, and the service we deliver to guests every day.”
Puckett added that Long’s appointment represents more than a leadership addition—it symbolizes the company’s ongoing evolution toward a people-first organization capable of delivering consistent quality and culture across a rapidly expanding network.
Proven Leadership in Culture and Transformation
During her tenure at Bridgestone, Long led numerous enterprise-level initiatives aimed at modernizing talent systems, driving engagement, and developing future-ready leaders. Her leadership contributed to measurable improvements in retention, leadership capability, and employee experience across global operations.
She was instrumental in architecting programs that aligned organizational culture with business objectives, empowering teams to work more collaboratively and efficiently. Her expertise in change management and organizational design also helped Bridgestone navigate complex transitions, ensuring both operational stability and cultural alignment.
Prior to Bridgestone, Long held multiple HR and leadership roles in large-scale, multi-site organizations, where she built a reputation for transforming HR functions into strategic business partners. She has long advocated for integrating data-driven talent strategies with human-centered leadership practices—an approach that resonates deeply with Sun Auto’s growth ambitions.
A Shared Vision for People and Performance
Reflecting on her new role, Susie Long shared her enthusiasm about joining Sun Auto at a pivotal time in its journey.
It’s a rare privilege to help shape the next chapter of a company that’s growing as quickly and intentionally as Sun,” Long said. “Great organizations are built through people. We’ll do that by creating clarity, trust, and opportunity at every level—for our guests and our teammates. That’s the Sun Auto culture, and it’s a culture we’ll continue to build on together.”
Her statement highlights a philosophy that places clarity, trust, and opportunity at the core of organizational success. Long’s focus on building leadership capability and ensuring alignment between people, purpose, and performance aligns closely with Sun Auto’s values of integrity, collaboration, and excellence in service.
Strengthening a National Platform for Growth
Sun Auto Tire & Service has been on an aggressive growth trajectory, expanding its network of premier automotive service brands across the United States. Through strategic acquisitions and organic growth, the company has emerged as one of the nation’s largest independent automotive service providers.
The addition of Long to the leadership team reinforces Sun Auto’s investment in the human systems and structures that underpin this expansion. Her leadership will play a pivotal role in ensuring that as the company scales, it continues to deliver consistent quality of service, uphold its cultural values, and offer meaningful career opportunities across all locations.
Beyond her operational responsibilities, Long is also expected to guide leadership development programs designed to prepare the next generation of Sun Auto leaders. By implementing training and mentorship initiatives that foster career growth and personal development, she will help cultivate a deep internal pipeline of talent ready to lead at every level of the organization.
Building the Future of Automotive Service Culture
The appointment of a Chief People Officer comes at a time when the automotive service industry is undergoing rapid transformation—driven by new technologies, evolving customer expectations, and heightened competition for skilled talent. Companies like Sun Auto are increasingly recognizing that human capital is a strategic differentiator, especially in industries that rely on trust, service quality, and customer relationships.
Under Long’s leadership, Sun Auto intends to advance initiatives that enhance employee engagement and strengthen the organization’s employer brand. This includes creating inclusive workplaces, modernizing HR infrastructure, and leveraging data insights to optimize workforce planning and performance management.
Puckett emphasized that these efforts are central to Sun Auto’s long-term strategy:
“Our investment in leadership and culture isn’t just about today—it’s about building a company that endures. With Susie leading our people strategy, we’re positioned to continue growing with purpose, staying true to the values that have made Sun Auto a trusted name in automotive service.”
A People-First Future
Sun Auto’s decision to appoint a Chief People Officer signals a deeper organizational commitment to nurturing its culture as a competitive advantage. The company’s ongoing expansion—backed by robust systems, strong leadership, and a growing team of skilled professionals—reflects a strategic vision centered on sustainable growth through people.
As Sun Auto continues to evolve, Long’s appointment marks a defining step in shaping a future where talent, trust, and teamwork form the foundation of its national success story. With a focus on empowering employees and enhancing the customer experience, her leadership will help ensure that Sun Auto remains synonymous with excellence in both service and culture.
In an industry built on precision, expertise, and reliability, Sun Auto Tire & Service’s greatest asset remains its people—and under Susie Long’s guidance, that foundation is set to grow even stronger.
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