On Friday, November 4, dealers from all around Massachusetts gathered for the 123rd annual meeting of The Massachusetts Retail Lumber Dealers Associations (MRLDA). The MRLDA, a branch of the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association, ensures that its retail lumber and building material dealers are represented, united, educated, and supported to become stronger businesses. At this meeting,Tony Shepley of Shepley Wood Products was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The MRLDA Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual for their cumulative contributions to the lumber industry. It is a special recognition to a person who has truly “made a difference” in the business and has made a significant and measurable impact on the lumber industry and on the communities in which they serve. It is not awarded every year, but rather only when a person is nominated who fits the criteria.
With no experience in the lumber and building materials industry, a used lumber truck, $4,000, and an idea that there was a need for another lumberyard in Hyannis, Shepley, and a partner started Shepley Wood Products in 1978.
At that time, the idea of an upstart lumberyard competing with the six established competitors in a 10-mile radius was preposterous enough that the other yards didn’t take it very seriously. Today, Shepley is the only lumberyard remaining in the Hyannis area with additional locations in Wellfleet and Nantucket with over 160 employees.
Shepley has been a leader in both the industry and his community. He served on the MRLDA board of directors from 1992 to 2001, including one term as president, and on the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association board from 2007-2013, including one term as chairman. He has also served on the board of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Cape & Islands United Way, and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Cape Cod and Islands (now Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital).
Shepley’s leadership in the industry and devotion to his community has led him to this well-deserved moment. Shepley’s commitment to doing the right thing is reflected in Shepley’s philanthropic approach, which he refers to as, “paying your Civic Rent”. “I view ‘civic rent’ as a social obligation that we should pay back to our community both personally and professionally. The center of every family is the home. Without safe, stable, and affordable housing, any family is at risk” says Shepley.
In 1996, Shepley Wood Products hosted its first charitable golf tournament – The Shepley Wide Open. Now in its 26th year, this annual event has raised over $1,000,000 for organizations on the Cape and Islands.
In 2021, Kodiak Building Partners acquired Shepley Wood Products. Tony moved into his new role as President and is excited to lead the company he founded into the next stage of its journey. “We have always said that we were in the people business and yes, we sell lumber and building materials. We are an industry of relationship sellers, where your word is still your bond,” Shepley summarizes.
“Our company has always focused on selling to building professionals and, in some cases, I am dealing with my third generation of customers. I have had the same job title for 45 years. My goal is to coach and mentor and to carefully choose the times to get out of the way of others to let them grow and prosper.”
Shepley was honored to share his special evening with two other deserving individuals. Garry Prevedini from US Lumber also received a Lifetime Achievement Award. And Tom McManus from Cape Cod Lumber Company, Inc. was honored as the MRLDA Lumberperson of the Year.
A Boston native, Tony Shepley has lived in Hyannisport since 1971. He and his wife Lorraine also spend time in Bethel, Maine. They have two sons, Niles and Cole. Niles works in operations for Shepley’s Nantucket branch and Cole is in his senior year of college, studying architecture.
An LMC Dealer since 2006, the entire LMC team is proud to congratulate Shepley Wood Products on their Lifetime Achievement Award!
