Willow Valley Communities aligns with Acts Retirement Services in new strategic alliance 

Lancaster-based Willow Valley Communities has entered a strategic alliance with competing not-for-profit senior living organization Acts Retirement Services in Montgomery County. 

The two organizations announced on Tuesday that their board of directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement of a partnership that is expected to enhance their ability to serve seniors and advance their shared missions. 

As part of the alliance, both organizations will have representation on the others board, with Acts serving as sole corporate member and manager for Willow Vally Communities. 

John G. Swanson, CEO of Willow Valley Living, the management company for Willow Valley Communities, will step aside from management oversight to focus entirely on future development of new properties. 

Dennis Griest will continue his role has president of Willow Valley Living, and all other current Willow Valley leadership will remain in place and have access to additional resources and scale through Acts. 

“We are excited to join forces with Acts. Having two highly respected and successful organizations enter this strategic alliance speaks to our shared values, dedication to the persons we serve, and commitment to the future.” said Jill Gilbert, Willow Valley Communities Board Chair. “As this alliance was contemplated and designed, maintaining the unique identity and operating autonomy of Willow Valley Communities was of paramount importance to our organization; with this alliance, we’ve achieved that goal. Bringing Acts in to support our existing management and operations leverages the scale and shared expertise important to both organizations.” 

Willow Valley Communities’ campuses house more than 2,500 residents from 40 states. Acts Retirement Services, the sole corporate member of Acts Retirement-Life Communities, operates a network of 26 campuses in nine states serving more than 10,000 residents. 

“Aligning with Willow Valley Communities is a proud moment for Acts. Willow Valley Communities is clearly one of the finest senior living providers in the nation,” said John Esterhai, Acts Board Chair. “Our organizations coming together in this strategic alliance provides a platform for future success and our ability to serve seniors. With so much already in common, this alliance simply makes both organizations stronger.”