It's hard to imagine a job at Willow Valley that's new to Diane Poillon.

As a youngster, she did everything for her family's business from bus tables to hostess to decorate cakes.

As an adult, she's done everything from train staffers to help the business open a new hotel in Harrisburg.

But despite working there for decades, there were a few key positions at Willow Valley that Poillon hadn't held yet.

And now she's been promoted to one of them — president.

Poillon, the granddaughter of Willow Valley founder John Thomas and daughter of chairman and chief executive officer Marlin Thomas, is the third generation of the family to serve in that role.

Though she's as prepared as possible for her new job, Poillon said, "I still have so much learn."

The 38-year-old Pequea resident became president of Willow Valley Associates on Jan. 1. She continues as its chief operating officer.

Established in 1966 with a 30-room motel, Willow Valley Associates has grown into one of the county's leading hospitality and real estate companies.

The 650-employee firm is best known as the owner of the 342-room Willow Valley Resort & Conference Center, the county's largest hotel.

It also owns two focused-service hotels in Harrisburg, a Hilton Garden Inn and a Homewood Suites by Hilton.

Besides the hotels, it owns, develops and manages residential and commercial real estate, such as Willow Valley Square shopping center, Willow Woods apartments and medical office buildings.

Finally, it also provides property services to buildings and grounds.

(Willow Valley Associates does not own or manage the Willow Valley retirement communities. A nonprofit corporation owns them and another company, led by Marlin Thomas, runs them.)

Poillon began helping with the family business at a young age, as children of business owners often do.

Her first job was sorting silverware at age 4. She officially became an employee when she was put on the payroll at age 16.

Later, while attending Messiah College, she had an internship at the Harrisburg Marriott. Following graduation, she spent two years working for the hotel, then returned to Willow Valley.

"It was extremely valuable for me to learn different ways of operating a hotel," she said.

The time away also helped her decide that Willow Valley was where she wanted to be.

"I always loved business. But I didn't know for sure it would be this business I'd come back to," said Poillon.

The diversity of Willow Valley's operations — hospitality, development, property management and more — made the family business an appealing choice for her.

And it was strictly her choice, Poillon and Thomas agreed, as it was for her sister Sheryl Holzbauer, who likewise chose to build her career at Willow Valley.

"My mom and dad always encouraged us to pursue what we wanted to pursue. They never once put any type of heavy-handedness on us," said Poillon.

"There was just encouragement to go to college and get an education, then figure out what you like and what you don't. A parent can't do any more," she said.

Said Thomas, "In the end, they have those choices to make. (Having a career at Willow Valley) was not a requirement. It was something they wanted to do."

Poillon found plenty of chances to learn on the job. But she wanted to learn more.

So she enrolled in Millersville University's MBA program. It took 3½ years, as she was working full time and raising three children with her husband Rick.

Poillon's drive to broaden her education, skills and experience made a favorable impression on her father, as he considered who would become Willow Valley's next president.

"Diane made that commitment to improve her knowledge a long time ago...She's made that extra effort to stretch herself to prepare for this kind of role. She has earned the opportunity for this promotion and we are grateful for that," said Thomas.

With Poillon succeeding her father as president, Thomas added the title of chairman while remaining CEO. The switch does not foreshadow retirement for Thomas, 64, who has no plans to lighten his workload.

Thomas and Poillon are part of a leadership team that includes four other family members, all executive vice presidents.

They are Thomas' wife Doris (design), Poillon's husband Rick (property management and development), Holzbauer (community relations) and Holzbauer's husband Blaise (resort and conference center).

Poillon will continue to lead the Willow Valley focused-service hotel division, which consists of the year-old Hilton Garden Inn that she helped to develop and the high-performing Homewood Suites, which ranks third in the 250-unit chain.

Until May 2007, the division also had Hampton Inns in Manheim and Valley Forge. They were strong performers too, scoring in the top 10 percent of the 1,500-unit Hampton chain.

Thomas and Poillon said these and other Willow Valley businesses have succeeded because their employees are dedicated to the company's core values of quality, integrity, respect and service.

And while a change has occurred in Willow Valley's executive offices, the commitment across the entire company to living out those values each day stays the same, they said.

"We don't want to change that. That's what sets us apart," said Poillon.

CONTACT US: tmekeel@LNPnews.com or 481-6030