Our Team

Don Lulay founded Lulay’s Car Connection in the early 1980s after experiencing firsthand the frustration and hassle of buying a vehicle as a young car enthusiast. Confident he could offer a better, more straightforward experience, and driven by a genuine love of cars, Don opened his first car lot with a simple goal: treat customers right and make buying a vehicle enjoyable.

More than 45 years later, Lulay’s Car Connection remains rooted in those same values. While the way people shop for vehicles has changed over the decades, Don has intentionally kept the team small and focused, continuing to offer a unique selection of cool, high-quality vehicles backed by personalized service. The result has been a loyal customer base that has followed the dealership for generations.

Over the years, Don and Lulay’s Car Connection has received numerous local, state, and national industry awards, recognizing the dealership’s commitment to integrity, customer satisfaction, and excellence.

That loyalty has also created opportunities to give back. With the support of its customers, Lulay’s Car Connection has proudly contributed to many community causes and organizations over the years.

Don looks forward to the many years ahead, continuing to do what he loves—working with great people, selling great cars, and building lasting relationships.

Jared is part of the Lulay family and has been with Lulay’s Car Connection since he was 15, starting out as a lot attendant. Twenty-five years later, he sells vehicles and helps manage the dealership's day-to-day operations. Having grown up in the business, Jared has a true vested interest in both the dealership and the people it serves.

Lulay’s Car Connection has always been built on relationships, and that’s something Jared takes a lot of pride in. Customers have trusted Lulay’s for decades, with many families returning generation after generation. Jared and the team are always eager to help, whether that means finding the right vehicle from current inventory or brokering a hard-to-find used or new vehicle.

Outside of work, Jared’s focus is on his family. Most of his time is spent supporting his kids’ activities, including competitive gymnastics for his daughter and a wide range of extracurriculars for his son, from robotics to baseball. When schedules allow, the family enjoys escaping to Central Oregon or heading south for a quick winter getaway to recharge and spend time together.

Matt Willhite has been part of Lulay’s Car Connection for nearly 30 years, joining the team when Don built the dealership’s current location. Over the decades, Matt has played a key role in shaping the relaxed, customer-first culture that defines Lulay’s today. He is proud to be part of the Lulay family and the long-standing relationships that have been built with customers and within the community.

Matt believes the difference at Lulay’s comes down to relationships and trust. The team takes a low-key, no-pressure approach, encouraging customers to ask questions, take their time, and explore their options so they can feel confident when they decide to purchase a vehicle.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife, their son, and their dogs. He stays busy following sports, coaching youth athletics, boating, and keeping active whenever he can.

Hilario “Junior” Baltazar has been part of Lulay’s Car Connection for over 18 years, serving as Logistics Manager. He plays a key role in vehicle pickup and delivery, assists with general sales, and provides bilingual translation to ensure every customer has a smooth experience. Junior takes pride in upholding Lulay’s high standards and making sure every customer leaves happy.

Family is central to Junior’s life. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children and also dedicates many weekends helping his parents with home projects.

Norberto “Beto” Ruiz has been part of Lulay’s Car Connection for over 13 years, serving as Shop Manager and Detailer. He takes pride in being part of a dealership with a strong reputation for caring about both its customers and employees, describing the team as feeling like family.

Outside of work, Beto enjoys spending time with his wife and son, supporting his son’s soccer activities, and playing with their dogs.

Kamber Castleberry is the newest member of the Lulay’s Car Connection team, serving as Office Administrator. Though new to the dealership, she has quickly embraced the team’s commitment to customer care and professionalism.

Outside of work, Kamber enjoys spending time with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren, who are the center of her world.