Merin and Dima - Owners Husband-and-wife team Dima and Merin are the visionaries behind Sky Retreat. With a shared background in dance, business, and wellness, they bring passion, professionalism, and a deep love for beauty and connection into everything they do.

Merin has a diverse background in education, movement, and wellness. A former competitive ballroom dancer, she also holds a master’s degree and honorary PhD. With over 20 years’ experience as a meditation teacher and business administrator, Merin brings thoughtful detail and organization to the operations of Sky Retreat.

Dima is a lifelong athlete and professional ballroom dancer with decades of experience as a competitor, performer, and teacher. He holds a degree in business administration and successfully founded and operated one of Charlotte, North Carolina’s top ballroom dance schools for over 15 years.

When they’re not overseeing the retreat, Merin and Dima enjoy an active lifestyle filled with tennis, hiking, paragliding, and biking. These activities reflect the spirit of adventure, fun and vitality which they embrace in their family life with their daughter—and love sharing with others through the creation of Sky Retreat.

Vito - Onsite Manager made the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina his home in 2018 when he joined the Sky Retreat team as our onsite manager. Since then, he’s become an essential part of the guest experience—always ready with a helping hand and a deep knowledge of the property and surrounding area.

Vito and his wife Beth share a passion for creating meaningful, joy-filled experiences. Together, they founded V&B Experience, which features an adorable petting zoo and offers special touches to make weddings at Sky Retreat even more unforgettable.

Whether you're here for a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, Vito is here to make your stay seamless and memorable.

Beth – Operations Manager first discovered Sky Retreat as a guest in 2019—and the mountains (and Vito!) stole her heart. What started with a simple cabin rental to recharge from the turmoil of daily life in the city, turned into a beautiful love story and a new chapter of life in the Blue Ridge.

After a 25-year career in retail, Beth made the leap to join the Sky Retreat family full-time. As our Operations Manager, she’s the one you’ll likely meet for a property tour, wedding planning guidance, or a friendly check-in along the way.

She’s also the heart behind V&B Experience—a certified yoga teacher, licensed massage therapist, and the loving caretaker of the adorable animals in the on-site petting zoo.
Want the full story of how she and Vito met? Just ask—they love to share it!

Tammy – Venue Coordinator is a true southern girl, raised in the south! She describes herself as the most A-type, OCD, anxiety-driven girl on the planet and wouldn't have it any other way. Tammy loves planning, prepping, and executing every aspect of a wedding. She is a key administrative team member at Sky Retreat and also has her own separate wedding planning business. She says, “Most days you will find me behind the computer, in and out of meetings, corresponding to all emails, and a mug of coffee in my hand!” In the off-moments of not doing “all things wedding”, Tammy loves spending time with family or baking something delicious at home after an outdoor run.

Dalton – Assistant Onsite Manager is an Appalachian State University Graduate with his degree in business and started working for Sky Retreat during his first year there! From mowing the lawn to setting up weddings, he loves it all! Dalton’s hobbies include trivia nights in Boone, enjoying local craft beers, traveling, and spending time with friends. You’ll likely meet him on your wedding day, and he’s always happy to answer questions and help if needed!