The Shepherd Hotel Appoints Hospitality Veteran Vicki Wicks as General Manager
12.16.25
White Lodging is proud to announce that hospitality veteran Vicki Wicks has been named General Manager of The Shepherd Hotel.
A 30-year veteran of White Lodging, Wicks most recently served as the opening General Manager of the Union Club Hotel at Purdue University – a student-run luxury property and part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
Vicki’s appointment marks an exciting next chapter for The Shepherd Hotel, a 67-room boutique property known for its inclusive hiring model and community impact. Nearly 30% of its staff are graduates or students from Clemson University’s ClemsonLIFE program, a national leader in Inclusive Postsecondary Education, offering a collegiate experience to prepare students with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living.
“I am thrilled to join The Shepherd’s exceptional team and mission,” says Wicks. “We have both an opportunity and a responsibility with this hotel and its brand. I look forward to elevating our service and quality while continuing to bring its mission to life”.
In addition to leading the hotel and collaborating with ClemsonLIFE, Wicks will serve as an ambassador for the brand, helping expand The Shepherd’s concept to other university communities nationwide. Her connection to the brand is personal as a mother of an adult son with intellectual disabilities.
The Shepherd Hotel is a model for hospitality with purpose, partnering with ClemsonLIFE to provide meaningful employment for individuals with intellectual disabilities. White Lodging began managing the hotel on behalf of its owners in early October.
“Vicki understands that The Shepherd is more than a hotel — it is a place where people can grow, contribute, and feel valued. We are thrilled to welcome Vicki to the team and confident she will elevate the guest experience and strengthen the mission that makes The Shepherd so impactful”, says Rich Davies, the Managing Owner of the Hotel.
The Shepherd Hotel in downtown Clemson features 67 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, two food and beverage concepts, a retail space highlighting entrepreneurs with disabilities, and a rotating art collection showcasing local and global artists, including art by abstract artist Charlie French. The seventh-floor rooftop offers an event space with one-of-a-kind views of Death Valley Stadium and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Design elements throughout the hotel reflect the historical significance of the location and brand’s belief in showcasing individual gifts.
