It’s green, clean and a growing division of 61-year-old family business Cato Gas & Oil.
As Wicomico County’s Best Propane Provider of 2021, Cato is committed to environmental stewardship and the community, with customers ranging from nurseries to residents who appreciate the reduced greenhouse emissions, energy conservation and cost savings propane offers. The propane side of the business has been growing for 23 years. 

Commitment to the community is a value Cato Gas & Oil prioritizes, said Phil Tonelli, vice president of residential sales and services. In spite of the company’s growth, it stays in close touch with its customers, many of whom have depended on Cato for 25 years or longer. Sometimes, clients simply stop in to chat with the Cato Gas & Oil team members, whom they consider friends. 

As a locally operated company, Cato Gas & Oil is pleased to offer quality service at a fair price. But it is most proud of the people who are on the team, who truly care about serving customers. Relationships are what matter the most. That includes supporting the community with efforts like participating in fundraisers for the March of Dimes and American Cancer Society. 

The propane division of Cato Gas & Oil is a tight-knit group of about 15 propane team members, with 500 employees overall. Said Tonelli: “We all row in the same direction, and every one of us is willing to step up to help.” In fact, during the pandemic, Cato Gas & Oil didn’t miss a beat, and as construction continues to grow, and more people recognize the clean nature of propane, he expects this renewable, affordable energy to continue catching on. “It’s very versatile,” Tonelli said.