Forty Under 40: Scott Shepherd

Scott Shepherd has actually pulled the reigns back on his career a touch so he could spend more time with his family and remain in Northwest Arkansas. nAn Arkadelphia native, Shepherd graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1989 and began his career with Merrill Lynch. nAfter five years, he moved to Dean Witter (now Morgan Stanley) and was manager of the office by 1998. He stepped down as manager last year, though, so he could concentrate on growing the wealth of his clientel and stay in Northwest Arkansas. In management “they want you to move to Dallas, Chicago or New York,” he said. nHe has about $100 million under management, he said. nShepherd is also president of software company, TAPP Inc. The TAPP, or total allocation portfolio presentation, program was born out of a need to help his customers graphically understand where their wealth was invested and how it was being managed. It is proprietary software licensed only to Morgan Stanley offices, he said. He plans to offer TAPP to other investment firms eventually. nThere is no one mentor who sticks out in his mind. “This business is kind of Darwinistic,” he said. He encourages up-and-comers to “plagiarize” the good traits from everyone they meet. nn