BlueDoor Private Wealth Joins Forces With Connecticut Retirement Readiness

BlueDoor Private Wealth is delighted to announce the creation of Connecticut Retirement Readiness, a division of the firm with a deep focus on Connecticut focused retirement planning. Connecticut Retirement Readiness is dedicated to providing a wide range of services to public and private employees across the state and beyond. Founded by John and Tom Shepherd, two brothers with deep roots in Connecticut, CRR aims to provide clients dedicated guidance through not just retirement planning, but all aspects of their financial life.

John Shepherd

John Shepherd is a portfolio manager with Connecticut Retirement Readiness, a division of Bluedoor Private Wealth, as Vice President. In this role, he works with the firm’s team on all aspects of private wealth management, helping individuals and families pursue long-term financial security and retirement readiness.

John’s passion, work ethic, and highly individualized approach to client relationships have earned him recognition as an innovator across the institutional investment industry, including the broker-dealer marketplace, registered investment advisor community, and family office environments.

Prior to joining Connecticut Retirement Readiness, John served as Vice President at Fairbanks Capital Management a California-based registered investment advisor and real estate boutique. Earlier in his career, he was a Director at a leading RIA technology firm and a Portfolio Manager responsible for debt, equity, and asset allocation strategies.

John’s previous leadership roles also include Managing Director at Lateef Investment Management as well as Vice President positions at Fidelity Investments and The Hartford.

He is a graduate of St. Anselm College and an honors graduate school masters program at City College of New York Business School. John has also been finance faculty at the college level. 

Outside of his professional work, John is an author, tennis player, golfer, and avid fitness enthusiast. He has a strong interest in the financial and health decisions seniors make as they prepare for retirement, and he closely follows local, national, and international political developments

Tom Shepherd

Tom Shepherd is President and Managing Director of Connecticut Retirement Readiness, a division of Bluedoor Private Wealth. In this role, he works with the firm’s team on all aspects of private wealth management, helping individuals and families pursue long-term financial security and retirement readiness.

Tom’s passion for helping others achieve financial success is the driving force behind his work. He is committed to building lifelong relationships with clients and believes strongly that financial advice and financial education go hand in hand. Tom is particularly passionate about teaching financial literacy and helping clients develop a clearer understanding of their financial lives so they can confidently work toward their goals. As he often tells clients, he enjoys teaching them “how to play—and win—the money game.”

Prior to joining Connecticut Retirement Readiness, Tom served as a Registered Investment Adviser with Baystate Financial, a division of MassMutual, and as a Registered Representative and Retirement Counselor with Empower, Prudential, Voya, and ING. In those roles, he worked extensively with participants in the State of Connecticut Employee Retirement Plans. He primarily served employees at the University of Connecticut, along with professionals across many state agencies including the Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Judicial Branch, Legislative Management, and numerous other state departments. As a former State of Connecticut employee himself, Tom has a deep understanding of the state’s pension systems and supplemental retirement plans.

Tom graduated from Villanova University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in Philosophy. Earlier in his career, he worked as a paralegal while considering law school. When the legal profession proved not to be the right path, he transitioned into the medical field, working in clinical research at the University of Connecticut Health Center. While preparing for medical school, a physician colleague encouraged him to pursue financial advising, recognizing his natural aptitude for financial matters and his ability to help others navigate complex financial decisions. Taking that advice ultimately led Tom to the profession where he discovered his true calling.

Outside of his professional work, Tom maintains an active and diverse set of interests. A former fitness trainer in Philadelphia, he continues to prioritize health and fitness. As the former owner of Shepherd Landscaping, he also enjoys landscaping and helping neighbors and friends beautify their properties. Tom has played ice hockey for most of his life and still enjoys getting on the ice when he can. He also enjoys music, including singing and learning to play guitar, bass guitar, and drums. An avid reader of the literary classics, Tom is passionate about lifelong learning and exploring different cultures through travel, particularly in Europe. Above all, he believes strongly in sharing knowledge and helping others grow.

Get in Touch

Supported by the team at BlueDoor Private Wealth, CRR looks forward to serving those in Connecticut and beyond. With years of experience in both private and public employee financial planning in the state, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about your retirement journey.

John Shepherd: (860) 200-1332

Tom Shepherd: (860) 509-4947