About

Phil Cato comes from a family that loves cars. He grew up building them with his dad, and his mom raced a ‘69 AMC AMX. When he was 14, he became the second owner of a 1955 stepside big window truck, which he still has today. He drove that truck from the time he got his license until he was 21. 

As a young man, Cato was called to service and served with the United States Air Force for six years. He worked in vehicle maintenance (not planes, contrary to popular belief!) and spent two years fighting in Iraq to help create a secure and safe future for the people there. 

Upon returning home, Cato went right back to work learning new skills. He attended WyoTech in Laramie Wyoming, where he gained paint and body hotrod fabrication and upholstery skills. Funny as it sounds, he had no intention of taking an upholstery class until a good friend, Mario, talked him into it (thank you, Mario!). 

When he graduated, his wife - a nurse at the time - decided to return to school to become a doctor. They moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where she attended medical school. Cato took a position with Honda, learning and perfecting bodywork, which plays an important role in his upholstery business every day. In fact, the misconception that upholsterers only sew, borders on comedy. Upholsterers are carpenters, electricians, metal fabricators, problem-solvers, and designers.

Check out some digital media featuring Cato.