Business, Media and Culture 2019

Sean Suggs has ascended through a career in the automobile industry to now run one of the most advanced auto manufacturing facilities in the world . . . right here in Mississippi.

Sean Suggs was named president at Toyota Mississippi in January 2018. Suggs is responsible for all manufacturing and administration functions of Toyota’s Blue Springs plant that produces the Corolla, Toyota’s highest volume selling vehicle in the world.  Prior to his promotion to president, Suggs served as vice president of manufacturing from 2016 to 2017 and vice president of administration from 2014 to 2016 at the Mississippi vehicle assembly plant.

Suggs’ automotive career began in 1998 at Toyota’s assembly plant in Princeton, Ind. where he was hired as a Team Leader. During his 10-year tenure, he served several roles and was named general manager of quality planning in 2008. In this leadership role, Suggs oversaw professional development, vehicle quality and manufacturing quality for current and new model production.

Prior to rejoining Toyota in 2014, Suggs served as director of strategy, administration and human resources from 2011 to 2013 at Nissan’s North American headquarters in Franklin, Tenn. During his five years with Nissan, he also directed production quality at the company’s manufacturing and assembly plant in Canton, Miss. Additionally, Sean is a military veteran, having served in the United States Army for eight years.

In addition to helping shape Toyota Mississippi’s future, Suggs is also building on the advancement of the Toyota Way in the community through personal service. Suggs was appointed by Mississippi House Speaker Phillip Gunn to the state Board of Education, a nine-member board responsible for setting state education policies and standards, in 2017; he also serves on the Mississippi Economic Council’s executive committee; and serves as a board member for the Mississippi Manufacturers Association. Suggs also supports several other nonprofit and economic development boards in Northeast Mississippi.

Suggs earned his Masters of Business Administration degree from Auburn University in 2010 and a Bachelor of Science degree from Oakland City College in Oakland City, Ind. in 2000.