meet board

Meet Our Board

Meet Our Board

Willow Valley Communities Board of Directors is made up of professionals with a wide variety of business experience. The Board meets quarterly to discuss Willow Valley policies and ensure we are true to our mission and vision. Willow Valley’s Board of Directors understands what it means to Live Life Forward. Each member is committed to innovation and growth in pursuit of our core values of inspiring every resident to embrace possibilities and positively transform the way aging is viewed and experienced in our world.

Jill E. Gilbert, CPA
President
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Helen C. Foster
Vice President
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Leslie (Les) W. Brant
Treasurer
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Jane R. Barley
Secretary
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Joseph F. McDonald
Assistant Secretary
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Dr. J. Donald Kemrer
Board Member
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Pastor John Stephen Smith
Board Member
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450 Willow Valley Lakes Drive
Willow Street, PA 17584

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Sat & Holidays: By Appointment Only

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"Love this place. Staff are wonderful and the food is to die for."

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"After 6½ years of residency, we know we made the right choice - all the activities, independent living through skilled nursing (all with no change in our monthly service fee), great food, wonderful team members. Nothing 'not to like'!"

- Mike C.

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jill

Jill E. Gilbert, CPA

President

Mrs. Gilbert is an Audit Partner with RKL, LLP.  She has over 20 years’ experience in public accounting.  She specializes in audits of local governments, employee benefits and non-profit organizations.  She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentration in accounting and finance from Elizabethtown College in 1995.  Mrs. Gilbert is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants.    

helenfoster

Helen C. Foster

Vice President

Helen Foster is the owner and principal of Foster Strategy, L.L.C., a marketing and development consultancy specializing in 55+ consumers and age-qualified real estate. Based in New Orleans, LA, the firm serves a select base of clients across the U.S., many of which are “best in class” in their respective markets or business sectors. An active 55+ housing advocate, Helen serves as an advisor, speaker, editorial contributor, and awards judge for leading organizations including NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders), ULI (Urban Land Institute), PCBC (Pacific Coast Builders Conference), and ICAA (International Council on Active Aging).

lesbrant

Leslie (Les) W. Brant

Treasurer

Mr. Brant is a retired financial executive.   His professional experience includes 35 years at Bank of New York Mellon.  He progressed through the ranks to Senior Director, providing wealth management services.  Year after year, he achieved solid results for BNY Mellon and built relationships with clients and community leaders.  Over the years, Mr. Brant served on various boards and committees as a volunteer, as a member, and as chairman of several professional organizations.  He currently serves on the Foundation Board of the Margaret Moul Home and is Chair of the Investment Committee.  Mr. Brant serves on the Investment Committee of First Presbyterian Church of York.  He also serves as a Board Member of AAA Southern Pennsylvania, which is headquartered in York.           

jane

Jane R. Barley

Secretary

Mrs. Barley, a graduate of Millersville University with a B.S. in Elementary Education, taught second grade in the Penn Manor School District for several years and was the business administrator for Star Rock Farms.  She attends Grace Community Church, is active in the community and serves on the Superintendent’s Council for Penn Manor School District.  Mrs. Barley is actively involved with fifteen grandchildren and their sports activities and plays tennis and pickleball.

joemcdonald

Joseph F. McDonald

Assistant Secretary

Mr. McDonald has had a rewarding career in the field of education.   He taught in elementary schools, has served as a Vice-Principal, Elementary Principal, and Assistant Superintendent.  He also taught in Athens, Greece and served as the High School Principal there, as well as, at Hillingdon, England and the prestigious Nido De Aguilas International School in Santiago, Chile.  Throughout his career, Mr. McDonald has belonged to a number of professional organizations and has held various positions in his local communities.

dr kemrer

Dr. J. Donald Kemrer

Board Member

Dr. Kemrer is a retired physician from his family practice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  From 1999 to 2004, he served as President of the Willow Valley Communities Board of Directors.   Dr. Kemrer is a member of Neffsville Mennonite Church.

pastorsmith

Rev. Dr. John Stephen Smith

Board Member

Rev. Dr. Smith attended Juniata College, graduating in 1971.  Subsequent to graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marines Corps after which he taught at the community college level while simultaneously earning a masters degree in counseling psychology.   He began his professional career as a school psychologist working in a number of school districts in both Lancaster and Lebanon counties.  Rev. Smith retired from his work as a school psychologist in June 2003.  He also studied at Evangelical Theological Seminary earning Master of Arts in Religion and Master of Divinity degrees.  He completed his academic training by earning a Ph.D. degree from Newburgh Theological Seminary in Christian Counseling. Rev. Smith was the pastor of Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church in Lancaster County, retiring in June 2012.  He returned to the mission field to serve as Pastor of Rexmont Evangelical Congregation Church in Lebanon County in July, 2017.  He is blessed to be married to Vicki Lehman Smith and has three daughters and six grandchildren.