about us

WHERE THE HILLS HEAL THE HEROES

Veterans and First Responders who live, or have lived, a life in the service of others often wear the emotional and physical scars of their chosen profession. Sacred Mountain Retreat Center was founded to help those suffering from PTSD or trauma help process their demons and quiet the chaos. Our cost-free, 7-day retreats are set in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota on 65 peaceful acres.

SMRC is a catalyst for positive change in the lives of our heroes. We help to eliminate the noise of everyday life and encourage healing through exposure to nature, alternative healing methods and open communication with our brothers and sisters in arms.

Our program is 100% mentor based. We don’t have counselors or therapists. We use hands-on therapy that promotes comradery. The activities that attendees participate in include equine therapy, working with our hands through metal work, leather work and woodworking, beautifying the land surrounding the lodge, meal preparation, body healing and more.

Through our retreats, together, we save lives, save relationships, and save careers.

SMRC BOARD of directors

Kevin Sullivan

Born in Denver CO, Colorado Kevin grew up in Grand Junction, CO. He was raised by William & Kathleen Sullivan and was second to oldest of 6 children. Kevin attended K-12 in Grand Junction as well as played football with a scholarship at Mesa State College. Kevin then moved to the eastern slope of Colorado with a brief time in Denver before arriving in Colorado Springs, where he has resided since 1988. He soon will be celebrating his 32^nd wedding anniversary with the love of his life, Constance, and together they have raised their 30-year-old son, Alan, and 28-year-old daughter Sarah. In his spare time, Kevin loves to hunt, fish, camp, and play golf.

Kevin’s professional career has been in the residential mortgage industry since 1997. Kevin is truly passionate about his profession, and the result is that nearly 100% of his business is by referral from satisfied clients, trusted financial advisors, and the most experienced Realtors® in Colorado Springs. Kevin is ranked amongst the most highly qualified and ethical in the mortgage lending industry.

Kevin is a newly appointed Board Member of SMRC, as well a financial contributor to Halo For Freedom Warrior Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region, CASA, and Batten Disease Research.

Nancy Veres-Clark

Nancy is a retiree from the US Department of Agriculture, having served with both agencies of Rural Development and Forest Service. Her husband is an Army Vet, having served in Desert Storm, and also a former US Homeland Security Air Marshall. Both Nancy and her husband are advocates of programs that work with veterans, law enforcement and first responders to assist with the quality of life and decrease the effects of PTSD. Nancy says, “Living in the Hills and having a stellar program like SMRC nearby seems like a natural fit for me to become involved with.”

She looks forward to serving on the board of SMRC and working with participants to learn more of the needs to move the program to higher levels.

Sandy Lombardo

Sandy has been a dedicated business owner and volunteer for over 30 years, in support of military families and local communities. She has been an active participant of SMRC events for five years and thrilled at the opportunity to grow her partnership with such an amazing organization.

During her time as President of the Officers Spouses Club, Sandy guided and coordinated focused efforts of over 80 volunteers to raise over $100K for women and children shelters, children’s homes, reading programs, scholarships, assisted living homes, and Habitat for Humanity. She has led and worked on numerous events with military and local leaders.

Sandy has involvement as a Key Spouse for her husband’s unit in support of military families and Airmen. In 2012, she became involved with many wounded warrior events across the country volunteering her time and business resources.

Sandy looks forward to serving on the Board of Directors for SMRC. She said, “This is quite an honor to be a part of something so inspiring and healing for all attending an SMRC Retreat.”

Tony Ryan

Tony grew up as one might call a “Cradle Patriot”, with his father being a USAF fighter pilot. Tony was raised with a great love of God, family and country. He dreamed of following is his father’s footsteps, becoming an American warrior, but unfortunately, an accident ended that dream. Instead, he became an entrepreneur, owning several businesses throughout his career. In 2010 Tony, along with retired First Sergeant Dana Bowman, created Halo for Freedom Warrior Foundation to give back to our American heroes, the men and women that serve our country. Not just military, but all first responders! Although after serving them for over a decade, he came to realize really didn’t understand our heroes enough. He says, “I’ve never served, so I have never been the places that they have been. I have never seen the things they have seen. I have never done the things that they were ordered to do. So, when they are suffering from PTSD, TBI or addictions and wanting to take their own lives, it is very hard to comprehend. I have prayed over the years that I could just spend one day in their boots so that I may understand them better; so that I may serve them better and possibly change and save more lives!”

In 2020, Tony’s prayer was answered, in a curious way. He went to battle; but not against the enemy that that they’ve been fighting. He went to war against cancer. He was in a fight for his life. He experienced being in a cold, dark place isolated in the hospital all alone. He became hooked on opioids, and eventually, the day came when he wanted it all to stop. He wanted to end his life.

We are happy to report that Tony is now cancer free! Tony expressed, “God has blessed me beyond measure and has given me insight to what these warriors face every day and I now feel like I am on a level that I can relate to them. I thank Jesus every day for what I went through and that he has giving me the chance to reach more people and save more lives. It is a privilege and an honor to serve on the Board of Directors for Sacred Mountain Retreat Center where lives are being changed and saved!”