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Our Founder, David Debien

Central City Air founder, David Debien, born and raised in Port Clinton, Ohio, held his first real job working in his father's fish house. To make extra money, he also started fixing vending machines, delivering newspapers, and shoveling snow. During college and in between, David worked at one of America's largest amusement parks, Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, maintaining hundreds of window units for guest accommodations. Always the tinkering type (or should we say "mechanically inclined"), David decided air conditioning and heating was the field for him, and ended up in the University of Houston's mechanical engineering program. He received an exclusive ASHRAE scholarship in 1971 at U of H, highlighting his dedication and potential.

David knew he was too avant-garde for corporate culture and wanted his own air conditioning and heating company. In 1986, he opened Central City Air and with immense passion, technical knowledge and understanding, made Central City Air the premier contractor in the city.

In 1988, David made his first appearance on KTRH news radio's "Home Improvement Hotline" with Tom Tynan, where he was given the title "Guru". The Guru of Air Conditioning and his company have always, and will always, champion his philosophy of high humidity removal systems. David took his knowledge and passion to homeowners, building inspectors, and industry peers by teaching classes at local colleges, and venues as well as speaking at conventions and seminars nationwide. His steadfast belief in his methods to obtain maximum performance, and CCA's success in riding homes of dangerous mold infestations and reducing energy costs, inspired many people in and out of the industry.

From the beginning, Central City Air has been on the forefront of revolutionary designs and installation. David loved to discuss his ideas about customized installations and the amazing results achieved from his proprietary designed evaporator coil with an adjustable expansion valve. He was a true visionary in the air conditioning industry, a gift only God could endow.

Ready for the next stage of growth and recognition, David enlisted the help of his wife and business partner, Suzanne. Pairing David's technical instincts with Suzanne's business acumen and customer service focus, Central City Air grew to national renown. Suzanne and David worked to develop the company to what it is today. Suzanne spearheaded the customer service, marketing, and development of the company, and has taken great care to conserve David's principles for Central City Air's Consistent Quality Service. Although he has passed away, Suzanne continues David's dedication to the advancement of the industry. CCA is committed to offering the public the best technical expertise and energy efficient design solutions for healthy air and uncompromised comfort. David always expected the best, and that is what we strive to provide our customers, simply the best.

Click here to view the memorial for David printed in Contracting Business.

A Brief Photo History of David

Click on images for larger view.

David learned hard work from his grandfather and father, who had a fishing business on Lake Erie. David worked with the crews--who were instructed to show no favoritism.

David and everyone else including his Dad cleaned fish.

David in newspaper photos, when he played basketball in high school in Pt. Clinton, Ohio.

Early business endeavors including managing a group of sketch artists. If you look closely, you'll see that one of the artists is Suzanne Debien.

Another picture of David with two sketch artists, including Mrs. Debien. They traveled to the State Fairs.

First job as an "air man" was maintaining the 500 individual window air-conditioners in 1000-room "The Hotel Breakers" Cedar Point, Sandusky Ohio.

David's first A/C truck--bought used from an Angleton, Texas appliance repair service.

New CCA truck and trailer 1988.

The big red truck--1994.

The new truck with a little of David's organization...

Another view of David's approach to organization.

David's home office 1988.

David's first guest appearance on KTRH was in 1988. Here he is with Tom Tynan in 1992.

David manning the Houston Home show in booth 1988 in GRB Convention Center.

Home Show 1989 at the Astrohall.

Think your house may to too large for CCA? Before electing to be a residential-only company, David handled some BIG units also.

Another view of a large unit. Some summer days in Houston suggest this should be the standard condenser unit for a 1500 sq. ft. home!