In 1971, Tony moved to Cape Cod and made his living playing in a rock band. The financial rewards were good, but Tony was looking for something steadier.
In 1978, with a partner, $4,000 and no particular experience in business, Shepley Wood Products was started, with the belief that there is the need for good service and attitude above all else.
Today, Shepley employs 160 passionate professionals who dare to care and who operate on the same principles with which the business began. With the main yard in Hyannis, a branch yard in Wellfleet and a sales office on Nantucket, Shepley services builders and building professionals throughout Southeastern Massachusetts. Many are familiar with the company’s slogan, “If your builder isn’t using Shepley, please ask why”.
Tony is a respected member of the Southeastern Massachusetts business community. He is the Past Chairman of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA) which provides industry leadership in education, legislative and regulatory reform, and member programs and services. He was the first company owner in the NRLA to receive the Certified Building Materials Specialist (CBMS) certification. The CBMS program is the only national accreditation program of its kind for the building material industry. The CBMS program combines a unique mix of comprehensive product and sales training with hands-on industry experience.
With a current Class A unlimited CDL and Hoisting License, Tony remains fully involved in the operations of the company. It’s not uncommon to see him making deliveries around the Cape and trekking up to Maine with a trailer truck full of lumber on weekends. This “back to roots” philosophy is one of the distinguishing factors that contribute to the success of Shepley. His hands-on, open door approach to business breeds loyalty among employees and customers alike.
Tony resides in West Hyannis Port, Massachusetts and Bethel, Maine with his wife Lorraine and their two sons. He sits on many boards that influence development decisions on Cape Cod and the Islands and is a major contributor to philanthropic endeavors in the area.
A partial list of his affiliations and accomplishments follows:
Industry Organizations
· Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod (HB&RACC), Board Member 1990 – 1995 and 2002 – present
· National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA), Board Member 2010-2012
· Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA), Chairman 2011-2012 Executive Committee, Board of Directors 2007 – 2013 Member since 1984
· Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association (MRLDA), Board Member 1992 – 2001, Board President 1997
· MRLDA Legislative Committee 2001 – present
· MRLDA Education Committee, Member 1995 – 1999
· MRLDA Long-Range Planning Committee, Member 1995 – 1999
Community Organizations
· Barnstable County Mutual Insurance Company, Board Member 2013-present
· Kelley Foundation, Board Member1999 – present
· Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Board Member 2007 – 2016
· Hyannis Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors 2006 – 2009
· Rehabilitation Hospital of Cape Cod and Islands (RHCI), Chairman 2006 – 2010,
Board Member 2001 – 2012
· 21st Century Task Force to study Cape Cod Commission, 2006
· Cape Cod Business Round Table 2005 - 2008
· Cape Cod Bank and Trust (CCBT), Board Member 2002 – 2004
· TD Banknorth Mass Board 2004 - 2006
· Cape & Islands United Way, Board member 1992 –2002, Chairman 1999-2001
· Presidents Club of Cape Cod Hospital, 1982 - 2002
· Corporation of Cape Cod Hospital, Member 1993 - 1999
· Cape Cod Hospital Finance Committee, Member 1997-1999
· Sturgis Library, Board Member 1991-1998, Vice President 1997-1998
Honors/Awards
· 2023 Habitat for Humanity Community Partner of the Year
· 2022 Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Association Lifetime Achievement Award
· 2019 Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Joshua A. Nickerson Award
· 2018 MRLDA Robert Horn “Chips” Award
· 2017 Calmer Choice “Tony Shepley Award” (1st Annual)
· 2016 Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Massachusetts President’s Award
· 2014 Philanthropy Partners of the Cape & Islands Outstanding Business Award
· 2014 Henry C. Farnham Unsung Hero Award
· 2012 Home Builders Association of Massachusetts“Legend of the Industry”
· 2012 Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award
· 2011 Housing Assistance Corporation Business Partner Award
· 2011 American Red Cross Leadership Achievement Award
· 2010 Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod Member of the Year
· 2008 Window & Door Magazine Dealer of the Year
· 2008 LBM Journal Entrepreneur of the Year
· 2006 Hyannis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year
· 2006 HBRACC Top New Member Recruiter
· 2005 MRLDA Lumber Person of the Year
· 2004 Abraham Penn Community Award
· 2002 Cape and Islands United Way Citizen of the Year
· Daniel P. Wise Distinguished Alumni Service Award, Brookwood Elementary School, 2000
· Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Planned Giving Council, 2000.
· 1999-Inducted into the Hall of Fame, Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod
· Sports Car Club of America, Northeast Division Champion, 1998- 1999