WEST HERR WEDNESDAY: Matthew Rupp

This week, we’re getting to know Matthew Rupp, a Sales Consultant at West Herr Chevrolet of East Syracuse. Matthew joined West Herr a little over two months ago, bringing with him 19 years of experience in the automotive industry, and a people-first approach to helping customers find the right vehicle.

Matthew’s career began in 2007, during his final semester of college. He had been preparing to become a state trooper when he noticed that Saturn was hiring and decided to give automotive sales a try. He started in sales and soon discovered that he had a real passion for cars and a talent for working with people. “I realized that I was really good at it,” he said. What began as a chance to try something new became a career that has now spanned nearly two decades.

He went on to spend 11 years with a local Saturn & Chevrolet dealer, followed by eight years at a local Ford dealer. Through those years, Matthew built lasting experience in sales and found the approach that has guided him throughout his career: take the time to understand what customers need, show them their options, and let them decide what’s right for their family.

Matthew says he learned early that buying a car can feel intimidating, in part because the industry can have a tough reputation. He wants customers to feel comfortable and supported throughout the process. Rather than “run after people,” he focuses on showing them the difference and helping them make an informed decision. Customers have told him there’s something different about the way he works with them, a response he takes as a sign that he’s doing the job the right way.

After eight years at the Ford dealership, Matthew began looking for a place where he could continue to grow. He had noticed West Herr’s Chevrolet store across the street from his previous workplace, and the connection caught his attention. His mother is from Buffalo, so he started learning more about the company. Before making a decision, he visited the dealership a few times on his own to get a sense of the atmosphere. He was impressed by how people greeted one another and treated employees.

The people and culture made a lasting impression. Matthew also remembers seeing West Herr’s core values displayed on the back of its business cards and throughout the building. He appreciated that the company didn’t simply list its values but made them visible in the everyday environment. A small detail from the vehicle delivery experience caught his eye, too: a key tag with employee contact information on one side and Josh Allen on the other. He had come across one while taking a car in trade at his previous dealership and saved it because he thought it was such a clever touch.

His wife’s experience helped confirm that West Herr was the right move. After she met the team at the Employee Appreciation Picnic at Darien Lake, she asked him why he hadn’t made the change already. For Matthew, who prefers to commit to a workplace and grow there, finding a company where he could picture a future mattered. “I could see myself growing here,” he said.

That opportunity to grow was one of the biggest reasons Matthew joined West Herr. In previous roles, his success on the sales floor sometimes made it difficult for his employers to consider moving him into another position. At West Herr, he saw a clear interest in developing employees and helping them advance. Matthew is currently taking part in a nine-month leadership program, where he’s learning more about working with people, supporting a team, and helping run a business. He hopes to move into management and is excited by the possibility of sharing what he’s learned with others.

One of the most meaningful parts of Matthew’s work is helping customers celebrate important moments. He remembers customers whose spouses were seriously ill and wanted to make a special memory together. Matthew helped arrange balloons and other surprises to make the vehicle delivery feel like an occasion. In some cases, the car was a dream vehicle, one a customer had hoped to own, or a spouse had chosen as a special gift. Seeing their excitement, he says, reminds him why going the extra mile matters.

Outside of work, Matthew’s life is full of family activities. He and his wife have four children, ages 10, 15, 21, and 23, as well as two grandchildren. His younger children keep the family on the move with sports: his son wrestles and plays football, while his daughter participates in cheer.

After 19 years in automotive sales, Matthew’s advice to anyone starting out is to stay true to themselves and stay humble. Customers notice when someone is trying to be someone they’re not, he says. Being genuine, listening, and focusing on the customer’s needs have helped him build a career he’s proud of, and those are the same qualities he hopes to bring to his next chapter at West Herr.

We’re glad to have Matthew on our team at West Herr Chevrolet of East Syracuse and look forward to seeing him continue to grow!