Meet the Team
The Craftsmen of FantomWorks
FantomWorks™ is a full service restoration company created by Daniel R. Short in 2006. As you read the notes on the staff, you might think that it is a dubious claim that every worker at FantomWorks is a professional. If you come down to the shop you will quickly understand that they absolutely are professionals even if they like to have a little fun now and again. That is why FantomWorks is now the best automotive restoration, modification, and maintenance facility anywhere. Come see for yourself and let FantomWorks make a believer out of you. By the way, for everyone we have on staff, about 25 apply for that position, 4 try out, and only one makes it.
Dan
Owner/Restoration Project Manager
Dan has over 31 years of experience in the automotive restoration field, including but not limited to certifications in Systems Engineering and Program Management.Before starting FantomWorks, Dan completed numerous restorations of American, European, and Asian muscle cars dating from the 1910′s to the early 1970′s. He also served in and retired from the US Army, where he got to do a lot of cool and dangerous things, as well as travel the world. Now with the ever growing hand-selected group of professionals at FantomWorks, Dan enjoys managing the overall operations. He works hard to ensure every restoration is completed with attention to detail second to none. Dan’s ongoing goal is to make every customer’s experience at FantomWorks, no matter how big or small, the best they have ever known in the automotive arena.Office Crew
No business functions without a capable office crew. We would be a mess without the individuals who man the office and keep the rest of us on track.
Melissa
Human Resources/Special Projects
She’s as talented as she is beautiful. She has worked behind the scenes managing the books for years since we first got off the ground. Now she does all of that plus invoicing, ensuring the customer accounts are updated, and that we don’t go broke in the process.Everyone at FantomWorks likes her because she ensures accurate and timely payroll for the ever growing crew. Melissa is also in charge of special projects and helps to keep all the insurances, taxes, licenses, certifications, documents, and permits “wolves” away from the back door. In many ways, she’s the “guy (or gal) behind the guy” for complex operations at FantomWorks.Recently retired from the US Navy as a Commander, she gets to enjoy a second career at FantomWorks. She’s also the love of Dan’s life, so don’t even bother trying…
Audrey
Office Manager/Wounded Wheels Liaison
Audrey is an unbelievably talented office manager. When she interviewed she told us that she had run an entire office including reception, accounting, and payroll for another local company. We quite honestly did not believe her but she was so enthusiastic and extroverted during the interview we figured she deserved a chance. It turns out she did not exaggerate at all.Audrey is the voice you will hear when you call our shop and whether you have a question about a car or a part, she will generally give you not only an answer; but it will be the right one. She runs the office and enjoys challenges that would scare probably any other young woman of her age. Do not let her youth and adorable looks fool you; she is a tough professional office manager and does not take bunk from anyone.Audrey assists with the outreach efforts for our non-profit organization, Wounded Wheels. For more information on Wounded Wheels visit www.woundedwheels.org
Larry
Parts / Logistics Manager
Bio coming soon…
Mike
Web/ IT/ Store Management
Bio coming soon…
BodyWorks Crew
BodyWorks is where all the body magic happens. This department does all the patching, sanding, priming, and painting for our vehicles.
Raymond
Body Shop Lead/ Painter
Heath
Autobody Technician
Heath has loved cars ever since his brother let him help with his 97 ranger. He is fascinated by every car’s internal components. He finds that he is that way about everything, he wants to know why it works, how it works, and when it works. Cars are literally everything to him, if he sees one that needs some attention he immediately thinks of ways he could improve it.As for Heath personally he likes to consider himself an angler (fishing Pro) and Ping-Pong Jedi(challenge him). He likes the beach and the serenity it brings him, he loves to surf even though the waves aren’t as big as he’d like around here.
Gavin
Autobody Technician
Bio coming soon…
Kyle
Autobody Technician
Bio coming soon…
TrimWorks Crew
TrimWorks is where all the detail magic happens. This department does all of the electrical work and anything you can imagine for the interior, from seats to convertible tops for our vehicles.
Mike
TrimWorks Crew
Bio coming soon….
Erin
TrimWorks Crew / Electrician
Bio coming soon….
Roberto
TrimWorks Crew
Bio coming soon….
IronWorks Crew
IronWorks is where all the metal magic happens. This department fabricates all the custom metal work that is needed for our vehicles.
Wayne
Autobody Technician
Wayne is a Richmond Virginia native who moved to Virginia Beach in 2009. He is a U.S. Army Veteran and former EMT. He started doing bodywork at 16 and has 20+ years in the collision industry and has done everything from sweep floors to assistant manager.Wayne loves to build and work with his hands on everything from remote control aircraft to repairing surfboards. He enjoys building picnic tables and Adirondack chairs during the summer and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Andy
Structural Welder
Andy had 1 year of welding experience when he came to FantomWorks. But with no bad habits Dan took it as an opportunity to train him to the perfect welder he wants. As a dedicated worker and a huge desire to work on great American muscle cars, he hopes to be an effective member of the FantomWorks team.
David
Metal Fabricator
David originally hails from Florida, so he doesn’t mind the heat of a Norfolk summer.
He studied at Tidewater Tech and at Tidewater Builders Association.The skills David learned at both of the Tidewaters makes him a great fit for working with our Building Maintenance Lead. Sometimes David even lends a hand to the BodyWorks crew when needed.
Wood Shop Crew
The wood shop is where all the wooden magic happens. This department fabricates all the custom wood work that is needed for our vehicles.
Billy
Wood Shop Assistant
Billy is originally from Nebraska and then joined the Marines. He was injured in Afghanistan and then he was stationed here in Virginia. Had an opportunity to work at Fantom Works and jumped right on it. He has always wanted to work with wood and now he has an opportunity here to help gain the necessary skills in woodworking.MotorWorks Crew
MotorWorks is where all the mechanical magic happens. This department does all of the mechanical work, from brakes to engines, for our vehicles.
Steve
Motorcycles/Special Projects/Small Engines/LS Swaps
Steve knows more about small engines (we consider anything less than a V8 a small engine) than anyone we have ever met. He takes care of the old school bobbers, shovel heads, pan heads, the Harley EVOs, all the Japanese motorcycles, and even the Briggs and Stratton engines. He has built the 1957 Heinkel engine (for the 3 wheeler) and every bike we have had since he got here. Steve has also done an amazing job on our generators, power washers, and even our concrete powered trowel. When people bring us the oddball things like foreign 3 and 4 wheel mail carts and micro cars, he is the first one we think of for the job.We have not found a small oddball engine or motorcycle engine that Steve is afraid of and he knows everything there is to know about them. If you have a complex or even impossible motorcycle project, give him a try, you will be blown away.
Jon
MotorWorks Technician
Bio coming soon….
Jayante
MotorWorks Technician
Bio coming soon….
AirWorks Crew
AirWorks are the guys that are rebuilding the classic airplanes of a by-gone era.
John
AirWorks Lead Technician
Bio coming soon….
Quincy
AirWorks Technician
Bio coming soon….
Building Maintenance Crew
Building Maintenance are the guys who keep the building alive. This department does all of our building repairs, construction, and new projects.
Arnold
Head Maintenance
Bio coming soon….
Nat
Lead Maintenance
Bio coming soon….
Special Crew
These are individuals who work for FantomWorks, but may not work full-time or may work in other capacities.
Lisa
Accounting/Taxes/Payroll
Finding Lisa was a “one in a million” lucky find. FantomWorks has a ton of taxes (including but not limited to: Payroll, Income, Sales, Property, Personal Property, License, Corporation, Impermeable Land, Waste Water, Sign, Compressor, Unemployment, and others) and Lisa came in to “save the day.”
She keeps us from either getting into trouble or closing all together, ensuring the numerous taxes and reports are filed promptly. Her phenomenal business knowledge and background as a corporate tax accountant has been invaluable in FantomWorks’ success. You can’t have her, she’s ours!
Ray
Web Designer and Architect
Ray is the smartest organizational and technological individual we’ve ever encountered. We have no idea why he continues to help out FantomWorks as much as he does but we’re also not one for looking a gift horse in the mouth. Ray had backed into a tree with his truck and needed his tailgate fixed. We don’t think he had any idea what he was getting into when he offered to help us out in exchange for some truck repairs, but we have certainly reaped the overwhelming advantage in this relationship.
Ray understands people, advertising, web sites, computers, customers, cars, and about anything else that is important in developing a wonderful website. We cannot thank him enough for what he has done for us. Ray is also responsible for creating and maintaining our database so we can manage information in a 21st century manner. We’re not sure if we deserve Ray, but we are very glad that he thinks we do.
What’s the most amazing thing is that even though Ray is 8,000 miles away (and has a paid full time career as a field grade US Navy officer at which he is unbelievably successful) he accomplishes more information technology tasks for FantomWorks than about any full time IT professional does in any company anywhere. To call this man Amazing is an understatement.
Heidi
Head of Security/Primary Front Door Greeter
Heidi was born to work here at FantomWorks. Although she’s young, she’s aggressive and beautiful and ensures the cars are watched night and day. If you come here, you’ll most likely be greeted by Heidi and it’s not a bad idea to stay on her good side. She’s a little hairy and has gained a little weight as a result of eating well here but she’s still fit enough to take care of business every day.
Don't Be Shy. Get In Touch.
If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!
