Built on Relationships Meet 2026-2027 MADA Chairman Phil Moore For Phil Moore, the automobile business has never been simply a career. Raised around the industry by a father who wholesaled cars, Phil grew up working on vehicles, hauling cars and learning the business from the ground up. He moved to Jackson in 1980, and in 1992 he purchased the dealership that would evolve from Oldsmobile to Saturn and, since 2010, Buick GMC. At the center of that journey have always been people. Phil speaks with genuine affection for the approximately 50 employees he works alongside, the customers who place their trust in the dealership and the fellow dealers whose friendships have enriched his life. The car business, he says, has given him far more than a livelihood. It has given him relationships, purpose and a deep sense of gratitude. Now, as MADA’s 2026-2027 chairman, Phil hopes to bring that same people-first perspective to his leadership of the association. His chief priority is straightforward: Encourage more of Mississippi’s dealers to participate, share the issues affecting their businesses and help strengthen the collective voice of all 213 dealership rooftops in the state. We recently spoke with Phil about his path through the automobile business, the responsibility of a franchised dealer, the importance of MADA and the people who keep his work and life in perspective. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. How did you get into the automobile business? I’ve been in the car business my whole life. My father was in the wholesale car business, so I grew up around cars. He would go up north, buy cars, bring them back and recondition them before sending them to auctions. There were a lot of independent dealers back then who would come and buy from him. I grew up working on cars, and after I graduated high school, I drove a truck for my father and hauled cars for four or five years. When I moved to Jackson in 1980, I went to work for a dealer in town. Then I went back into the wholesale business, which was what I’d been raised doing. From there, I dreamed of being in the new-car business. We bought our dealership in 1992 as Oldsmobile. Later, we became Saturn, and we’ve been Buick GMC since 2010. I’ve always loved the car business, and I still love it today. What does being a franchised dealer mean to you? Buying a car is a huge investment. It’s a lot of money, but the experience shouldn’t be scary or aggravating. Buying a new car should be exciting and enjoyable, and that’s what we strive for — not just me, but everybody in the car business. That’s what helps us be here tomorrow. When you buy a car, you’re starting a relationship. You want that to be a good relationship because, sooner or later, you may have a problem. You want someone to be there to take care of you when that happens. I think that’s what franchised dealers — not only in Mississippi, but across the country — offer that an online retailer can’t. We’re here. The dealer is concerned about the customer, and our future depends on how well we take care of people. Consumers are more informed than ever, and that is a huge help for us. Dealers have to be transparent about what is being advertised and what we can deliver. If we maintain the honesty, integrity and trust in our dealerships, we’re in a good position going forward. What has been the most rewarding part of your career? The most rewarding part has been the people. I’m fortunate to work with about 50 people, and every one of them is a friend of mine. There’s not a person here I don’t enjoy or personally like. I love walking in and seeing the same people every day, and I want people to come here, build careers and stay. The car business has given me so much more than a living. It has given me friendships and allowed me to be around people with honesty, integrity and character. I enjoy seeing other dealers succeed because I know how hard they worked and that they did it the right way. For the last 15 years, it hasn’t felt like I’ve had to go to work. I get up, looking forward to coming to the office. What I wanted my whole life — I look up, and it’s here now. But that isn’t because of me. It’s because of the people I’ve been fortunate enough to have around me. 6
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