West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 102

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Chris Deweese, CPA, CGMA
Partner, Suttle & Stalnaker, PLLC
LORI KERSEY
Photo by Will Price.
CHRIS DEWEESE, a partner at Suttle & Stalnaker, PLLC, is an
accountant with the heart of an entrepreneur. Before the Chelyan
native could even drive, he had already started his own business.
“I started a small lawn mowing company and was mowing
as many neighbors’ yards as I could,” he recalls. “I was known
for mowing at a sprint, and I would never agree to work by the
hour. While I took pride in how fast I could get the job done,
I kept quality as my number one priority.”
Deweese knew from a young age he wanted to be an
accountant. He credits his mentor, Jack Suttle, with showing
him how to turn a job into a meaningful career.
“Jack was a true inspiration and visionary who focused on
improving his chosen profession and everyone around him,”
says Deweese. “Throughout his entire life, Jack was a giver in
his professional career, his personal life and his Christian faith.”
Deweese’s career with the firm began when he was hired
as an intern in 1994. The following year, he went full time
after graduating from the University of Charleston. In those
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