Wiley declares: “Hard work is how I reached the position of GM”
By Gwendolyn H. Daniels
Although Wiley Eugene Jackson, Jr. was born in Dallas, he was raised by his grandfather and grandmother in Whitehouse, Texas, a small city just 10 miles north of Tyler. In addition to his grandparents, Wiley grew up in a household that included two aunts, two uncles, and a cousin.
When asked about his childhood in Whitehouse, Wiley fondly recalls:
“Home life was great and a loving environment with all holidays being the best, especially at Christmastime.”
Wiley has a combined 21 years of experience in auto sales. He had a goal of climbing the sales ladder at Lithia Motors, Inc., and three years ago Wiley reached his goal being named General Manager at Lithia’s Southwest KIA of Mesquite. He credits putting in long hours, maintaining strict discipline to daily work ethics, and his strong will to succeed as the reason he now holds the title of GM with Lithia.
Recently, his dealership was renamed Mesquite KIA. Wiley is currently overseeing a complete renovation of the grounds at 1919 Oates Drive in Mesquite. It includes a massive expansion of the showroom and all sales quarters. This major project is scheduled to be completed in October, 2025.
In the midst of renovating Mesquite KIA, Wiley manages a staff of primarily young auto sales associates (not including his auto repair and finance departments). Karen Renee Holland is his mastermind in finance and his right arm at the dealership.
Wiley highly praised his staff, saying:
“Even though they are young, they are very innovative, paying attention to detail like me. I don’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do myself, as I lead by example.”
Wiley shared:
“Success comes to us here at Mesquite KIA through hard work and a clear vision to execute daily. None of us at Mesquite KIA is bigger than the program, so we strive to be our best each and every day.”
Meet the Mesquite KIA Sales Staff
Braeshaun (Brae) Dunn
Brae is a native of Dallas and a graduate of Lakeview High School in Garland. One of his best friends since high school encouraged him to start selling vehicles after he went through a layoff in corporate America. Brae now has five years in auto sales. He began working at Mesquite KIA last April.
Brae shared that his success in auto sales gives him empathy:
“People are people. They may have had financial challenges, but they are still people needing my help to get them into an automobile.”
Brae feels confident selling KIAs. He’s impressed with how KIA “rebranded itself” and says KIA’s 100,000-mile warranty on its motor is “an amazing seller.” He considers Saturdays as “the Superbowl of sale days.”
Contact Brae at: 318-990-3335 or on Facebook at: MrDunnDeal.
Emiliano (Emi) Martinez
Emi is a native of Dallas and a graduate of Skyline High School. He has been an auto sales associate for one year and eight months, with all of his time spent at Mesquite KIA. Before selling autos, Emi worked with his dad as a painter. He said his customer, “Mr. Antonio Ayala saw something in me and asked me to come and try my hand at selling automobiles where he works as a Manager at Mesquite KIA.”
Emi’s philosophy is:
“Approaching my job with the daily motivation of being the best I can be to get the job done.”
Contact Emi at: 214-986-8402.
Jonathan Tristan Payne
Jonathan was born in Garland and is a graduate of North Forney High School. He has been an auto salesman for two and a half years, with all of that time spent at Mesquite KIA. While waiting tables at a restaurant, Jonathan’s customer “Mr. Antonio Ayala saw something in me and asked me to come and try my hand at selling automobiles where he works as a Manager at Mesquite KIA.”
Jonathan shared:
“I’ve always enjoyed talking with people. Before I started selling KIAs, they weren’t that appealing to me, but once I began selling KIAs, the product itself made a huge believer out of me!”
Contact Jonathan at: 469-886-6320.
Meet the Mesquite KIA Sales Staff (continued)
Willie James Porter, II
A native of Akron, Ohio, Willie’s family transitioned to Texas while he was a minor. He is a graduate of North Mesquite High School. Willie has been on the Mesquite KIA sales team for the entire two years of his career selling autos. He prides himself on providing great customer service, which has resulted in repeat customers and positive word of mouth.
Willie shared:
“KIA’s new technology has yielded a great customer base.”
Contact Willie at: 469-410-9378 or email him at: Willieporter@lithia.com.
Marco Vinicio Hernandez
Marco was born in Dallas and is a graduate of Skyline High School. For the last two years, he’s sold autos, but Marco has only been with Mesquite KIA for six months. Marco says:
“I stayed with it because I really like the work!”
Contact Marco at: 214-534-8830.
Levi Slape
Levi is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and relocated to Texas where he graduated from Juan Seguin High School in Arlington. He’s been selling autos for three and a half years and has worked at Mesquite KIA for two years and two months. Levi shared that he began selling autos “during the really bad ice storm when there was no electricity in DFW.”
Levi said:
“Don’t let the slow times get you down. I put in extra hours and speak with any and every customer I can.”
Contact Levi at: 817-876-7711.
Jerry Jayne Tonubbee
A native of Santa Maria, CA, Jerry has sold automobiles for 20 years. He has been a salesman at Southwest KIA of Mesquite (now Mesquite KIA) for 15 and a half years. When asked about his success, Jerry shared his philosophy:
“I love God with all my heart.”
Jerry’s mentor taught him the five keys to success in selling autos:
- Everybody is a buyer.
- Stay off the subject of price.
- Continue learning.
- Follow up.
- Stay in one place.
Contact Jerry at: 214-537-9618.
LaShay Antonette Blair
LaShay is a native of Dallas and has been an auto salesperson for three years. She’s been employed by Southwest KIA of Mesquite for a total of seven years. LaShay describes herself as “a people’s person,” which has been a big asset in her sales career. She finds that KIA’s features, designs, and 100,000-mile warranty make her job easier.
Contact LaShay at: 469-655-0456 or by email at: Lashayblair@lithia.com.
