Damon Bell Named General Manager of the Union Club Hotel at Purdue University
12.16.25
White Lodging is pleased to announce the appointment of Damon Bell as the new General Manager of the student-run Union Club Hotel at Purdue University, Autograph Collection. Damon succeeds Vicki Wicks, who has been instrumental in shaping the hotel’s reputation for service and learning since its opening in 2020.
Damon brings a wealth of experience to The Union Club Hotel, having joined White Lodging in 2009 and held senior sales and marketing roles during the opening of JW Marriott hotels in Indianapolis and Austin. Most recently, Damon served as Senior Commercial Director, overseeing sales, marketing, and revenue strategy for a large portfolio of White Lodging hotels, including The Union Club Hotel, Brush Creek Ranch and our convention hotels in Indianapolis.
“The Union Club Hotel is a remarkable property, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its ongoing success and to further strengthen our relationship with Purdue students, staff and faculty,” said Damon Bell. “I’ve got big shoes to fill with what Vicki and her team have established.”
As General Manager, Damon will oversee the hotel, spa, and five affiliated food and beverage concepts, including Boilerhouse Prime and Clubhouse Bar and Grille at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. He will also manage the day-to-day partnership with the White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, where Purdue students gain hands-on experience within the property.
Prior to joining White Lodging, Damon spent nearly a decade in various operational roles with Omni Hotels.
Vicki is transitioning to a new leadership role at The Shepherd Hotel, a purpose-built luxury hotel in Clemson, South Carolina, that provides employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Vicki’s connection to The Shepherd Hotel brand is personal, raising a now-adult son with intellectual disabilities. White Lodging began managing The Shepherd in October.
Union Club Hotel at Purdue University
The Union Club Hotel is a luxury, student-run property located on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana. Managed by White Lodging and part of the Autograph Collection, the 182-room hotel offers guests a unique blend of modern amenities and collegiate charm, including a spa and multiple food and beverage concepts. It was recognized as the Best Boutique Hotel in the nation by StayBoutique.
A defining characteristic of The Union Club Hotel is its close partnership with the White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue. This collaboration allows Purdue students to gain hands-on experience in all aspects of hotel operations, from guest services to food and beverage management. The hotel serves as a living classroom, fostering the next generation of Hospitalitarians while delivering exceptional service to guests.
