# Shep Murray

> Shep Murray is the co-founder and co-CEO of vineyard vines, the clothing company he started with his brother Ian in 1998. A Skidmore business graduate and former advertising employee, he built the brand around summers on Martha’s Vineyard, beginning with patterned silk ties and expanding into apparel for men, women and children.

- **Role:** Co-founder and co-CEO at vineyard vines
- **Organizations:** vineyard vines, Young & Rubicam
- **From:** Greenwich, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Brunswick School, Degree in management and business, Skidmore College
- **Known for:** Co-founded vineyard vines and expanded it from a necktie business into a multi-category apparel retailer., Received Skidmore College’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2013., Recognized with Ian by Ernst & Young as Entrepreneurs of the Year, according to Skidmore’s alumni biography.

## Career timeline

- **1993** — Graduated from Skidmore College with a business degree.
- **1990s** — Worked in advertising in New York, including at Young & Rubicam.
- **1998** — Left his job and co-founded vineyard vines with brother Ian; launched sales on Martha’s Vineyard in July.
- **2004** — Introduced the Shep Shirt, inspired by a favorite old quarter-zip pullover.
- **2005** — Opened the first vineyard vines store in Edgartown.
- **2013** — Received Skidmore’s Distinguished Achievement Award.
- **2019** — vineyard vines launched a limited-edition Target collection.
- **2022** — John Mehas joined as CEO in October while the founders remained involved.
- **2025** — By May, Shep and Ian had returned to running the company.
- **2026** — The company released its second Jeep collaboration in June.

## Achievements

- Co-founded vineyard vines and expanded it from a necktie business into a multi-category apparel retailer.
- Received Skidmore College’s Distinguished Achievement Award in 2013.
- Recognized with Ian by Ernst & Young as Entrepreneurs of the Year, according to Skidmore’s alumni biography.
- Included with Ian among Goldman Sachs’ 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs, according to Skidmore’s alumni biography.

## Latest updates

- **2026-08** — vineyard vines announced a merchandise partnership with Nantucket Crisps on August 14.
- **2026-06** — The company launched a Nantucket Women’s Collection on June 23, with a statement from Shep as co-founder and CEO.
- **2026-06** — The second Jeep capsule launched June 4; Shep described the brothers’ long family connection to Jeep vehicles.
- **2026-04** — Shep and Ian appeared on How I Built This with Guy Raz, in an episode published April 27.
- **2026-02** — Shep and Ian appeared on Making It with Jon Davids on February 3.
- **2025-05** — WWD reported that Shep and Ian had returned to the helm of vineyard vines after a period under an outside CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://www.vineyardvines.com/content/our-story
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shep-murray-243124a4

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/shep-murray
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14