Our Staff

Our Administrator - Darla O'Brian

Our Administrator: Darla O'Brian had a career as a paralegal, and a one-year stint as fifth grade teacher before joining Hilltop. She became the bookkeeper here in 1993 and worked part-time while acquiring a teaching certificate and Master's of Teaching. A "reduction in force" action ended her teaching tenure after the first year, but at the same time she was informed that Hilltop needed her capable services fulltime. The timing was "meant to be."

So she made the never-regretted decision to end her shortlived teaching career and commit to Hilltop. In 1998, Ms. O'Brian was named administrator. Per Darla, "It is a job I love - as it uses all the technical and financial skills I acquired in my previous jobs, but also allows me to fulfill a mission of providing not only housing, but a sense of community that enhances the lives of our residents." The school system's loss was definitely Hilltop House's gain!

Darla emphasizes that the great support staff at Hilltop work together as a team to provide that special sense of community that sets Hilltop House apart. We hope you'll come and experience it for yourself.

Karen Lewis

Karen, a native Seattleite, has been connected with Hilltop House since she was a child. She first visited Hilltop with her sunday school class delivering handmade cards to the residents. Her grandparents were also residents here.

After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Recreational Therapy from Eastern Washington University, Karen worked for the Specialized Programs Division of the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department. From there, she worked for a couple of local nursing homes in the Recreational Therapy departments. Karen graduated from Seattle University with a Master's Degree in Counseling.

In 1994, she was "placed" at Hilltop House with the Companis Mission Workers for Seattle. In the time that she has been here, Karen has melded the two academic passions of her life to fit the interests and needs of another passion, working with independent seniors to maintain and improve their quality of life.

In her spare time, Karen enjoys long walks, skiing, singing in a choir and spending time with her family and friends.

Paul Lang

Paul, his three brothers and his mother followed his Air Force father around the world. The family traveled to Texas, the Philippines, Florida, Germany, Wyoming, England and the Pacific Coast. Paul finished his education in Seattle with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. Paul and Denise travel around the world staying at their time share condo or on cruise ships. Paul leaves behind his love of cooking and gardening when on vacation; he also leaves a flock of birds. They share their home in Brier with eleven parrots; some come with him to Hilltop House for a visit with the staff and residents.

Paul started earning and saving money as a paperboy in the second grade. He was employed with the Associated Methodist Homes as a dishwasher, waiter, dining room supervisor and cook. Soon after he graduated from the university he took a job as a bookkeeper and was later promoted to the accountant at Bayview Manor Homes. After 22 years and a downsizing at Bayview, Paul decided to semi-retire and work part time jobs to lessen stress in his life. Paul worked different finance related jobs in various industries in profit and not-for-profit entities. He and his wife worked together as co-executive directors of a retirement home when it was sold.

He decided to come back to a stable work environment. He works part-time here and another community across the lake; he calls Hilltop House his home. He has worked almost forty years in the retirement industry in many different duties. Paul brings a great variety of knowledge he has accumulated over the years to Hilltop House and enjoys sharing it with others.