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 full time. The timing was "meant to be."

So she made the never-regretted decision to end her short-lived 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 Carlos - Service Coordinator

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.

Chris Lasher - Office Manager

Chris is the Office Manager for Hilltop House. He answers the phone, assists residents with problems, fills out work orders, ensures that the office runs smoothly and is a pleasant, helpful and organized member of the staff. Residents (and other staff members) are grateful for his welcoming presence in the office. He came to Hilltop as a Relief Manager, a job he still holds in addition to the Office Manager position.

Chris was born in Federal Way, Washington and graduated from high school there. He studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana. The following years were spent in parish work as a youth minister in Federal Way and Vancouver, Washington and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During this time he sponsored many retreats and large scale ministry trainings. He was a sought after speaker for youth events.

He is very excited to be working at Hilltop House and enjoys helping to provide affordable housing and a strong sense of community for our residents. He is very willing to share his technical expertise with our staff and residents for which we are all grateful! In his very limited spare time, he enjoys golfing, fishing and reading – mostly history.

Paul Lang - Accountant

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.

Matt Sporn - Food Services Director

Matt was born in New York City at Albert Einstein Hospital where a life-long love affair with learning began. After graduating from high school, Matt traveled to Zimbabwe and Mozambiquwe where he taught orphaned and abandoned children ages 5-19 through the International Institute for Communication and Development. From there he moved to Costa Rica were he opened La Taverna, a restaurant and neighborhood bar. Soon, he found himself in Seattle where he attended the Art Institute of Seattle’s culinary school. Thankfully, Matt and Hilltop House found each other soon after. Matt takes great pride in his staff and in providing exemplary service and delectably healthy food for our residents.

In his free time, Matt enjoys time with his wife and son at the beach, the zoo and at the Children’s Museum.

Jack Simpson - Relief Manager

Jack hails from the city of Cleveland, Ohio. The 6th of 10 children he always had someone to play with. He studied at Xavier University and graduated from Loyola University with a bachelor’s degree in Latin. After serving in the army he spent one year as a public assistance caseworker in Cleveland. The next 45 years were spent in industrial and commercial sales and administration. Jack arrived in Seattle through the Jesuit Volunteer Corp, serving in homeless shelters. Jack is very pleased to have found Hilltop House and enjoys helping to make residents safe and comfortable.

Jack enjoys reading, classical music, crosswords and visiting his grandchildren.

Matt Brucks - Maintenance Supervisor

Growing up in American Falls, Idaho, Matt developed an early love for the great outdoors. Migrating to Washington, he graduated from Interlake High School in Bellevue where he excelled as an athlete in football and baseball. Following graduation, he spent two years at Lake Washington Technical College studying auto mechanics. A natural “fix it” kind of guy, Matt began work in facility maintenance for the YMCA. Prior to his arrival at Hilltop House, he served as a King County Sheriffs Deputy. He was great on the streets but we are lucky to have him here! Matt sees to it that everyone’s apartment and the building as a whole is kept up to “snuff”.

When at home Matt enjoys spending time with his wife Amy and boxer dog Rocky.

Mary Lou Mies - Housekeeping

Everyone in Planesville, Minnesota knew the Mies kids. As the oldest, Mary Lou admits to having practice at “giving direction”. In 1955 she and her husband moved to Seattle and began a family consisting of five children. In 1968 Mary Lou began working at Hilltop washing dishes in the kitchen. Soon after she became housekeeper and was cleaning the place she would work at for over 39 years (she went for greener pastures for three years but came back).

MaryLou is proud of her accomplishments during her tenure at Hilltop. She loves to decorate for holidays, clean apartments until they shine and to help new residents find things to help create a home. Most of all, she loves to share herself with the residents and co-workers of Hilltop House. She is an avid reader and shopper.