SkyRun Arrives in Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga Region Continues to Draw Family-Centric Entrepreneurs

Clay and Cara Cieslak have secured the franchise rights for SkyRun Vacation Rentals and are developing a portfolio of carefully curated properties, in and around the Chattanooga region. With an unwavering commitment to family values, client-first services, and giving back to their local community, the Cieslaks look forward to creating an opportunity for other travelers to visit and fall in love with Tennessee, just as their family did over the last two decades.

The Scenic City

When Clay and Cara Cieslak visited family friends in Tennessee, they knew there was something special about the Volunteer State. Year after year, they made the annual pilgrimage from Oregon, and each time, they came away with a deeper connection to the people and personality of the region. As their family grew, the couple’s children made friends and urged their parents to no longer make this their “home away from home.”

“Last year, our family made the decision to eventually retire and move to Tennessee,” said Clay Cieslak, who has worked with refineries for the last 25 years. “We didn’t just want to live in this community; we wanted to invest in it as well. We love to travel and we’ve been coming here for many years; now we want others to see why we fell in love with Chattanooga. The people here have always made us feel at home and now we want to pay it forward by providing an opportunity and environment for other visitors to feel the same way.”

In early 2025, Clay and Cara partnered with SkyRun Vacation Rentals and secured the franchise rights for Chattanooga and the surrounding areas. SkyRun was founded in 2004 and now manages nearly 1,500 vacation rental properties across the country. The Cieslaks will draw on their shared project management and customer-service experience—along with SkyRun’s vast network of resources and best in class capabilities—to develop and manage the Chattanooga territory. 

“I’ve worked on refineries my entire career, so I’m accustomed to long hours, challenging projects, and developing teams that have a family-centric mentality,” added Clay. “At this stage of my career, getting to transition out of that industry and relocate to a part of the country that our entire family loves, is truly a blessing in every sense of the word. Getting to build a ‘new team’ with my wife and daughter (Alexis, who is currently managing the Chattanooga portfolio) is just the cherry on top.”

The Chattanooga region is home to roughly 182,000 permanent residents, various industries, and is also the U.S. headquarters for Volkswagen. The area provides a beautiful symmetry, between a bustling downtown and the bucolic ‘postcard views’ of the surrounding parks and outdoor attractions.

“Lookout Mountain is 2,000 feet above sea level and Ruby Falls is the tallest and deepest waterfall in the United States,” added Clay. “From ziplines, to hiking, to cycling, to camping and fishing, there is something here for everyone.”

“Tennessee is a beautiful state and this region has become a popular destination for travel and outdoor enthusiasts from across the United States,” said Cord Thomas, President of SkyRun Vacation Rentals. “Hamilton County alone, sees nearly 11 million tourists each year, which creates $1.73 billion in spending. This was a six percent increase from the previous year and the trendline continues to tick upward, as tourism alone, creates an estimated 30,000 jobs across the local economy,” added Thomas. “We’re thrilled to welcome Clay and Cara Cieslak to the broader SkyRun family. They understand the importance of locally owned and operated services, as well as our corporate commitment to families and communities.”

Clay and Cara are currently expanding their property management portfolio, focusing on a diverse array of locations, ranging from downtown Chattanooga, to more scenic selections in and around Lookout Mountain.

“There’s a reason they call this the Scenic City,” added Clay. “We’re grateful to be joining this community and we look forward to welcoming other visitors—and making them feel right at home—for many years to come.”

To learn more about the property management services Cara and Clay will be providing in the Chattanooga area, please feel free to reach out to the local team and schedule a chat.