About Southern Air
Since its founding in 1946 by George Coastan, Southern Air has grown from a residential heating company with 15 employees into a premier specialty contractor serving the Mid-Atlantic region. We offer full-service design-build mechanical contracting services including heating, cooling, plumbing, piping, and electrical solutions. With more than 800 employees in 13 locations across three states, Southern Air handles projects of all shapes and sizes. We build, maintain and renovate building mechanical and electrical systems so they perform as efficiently as they can.
Commitment to Excellence
Our commitment to excellence, demonstrated through decades of experience since 1946 and customer satisfaction, has established us as a trusted leader in the commercial, industrial, healthcare, government, and institutional industries. From our humble beginnings to our present- day capabilities, Southern Air continues to deliver unparalleled expertise and craftsmanship to every project we undertake.
Company History
Over the years we have expanded our services, becoming a licensed and insured design/build mechanical and electrical contractor. Key milestones include the addition of plumbing services in 1962, making us the sole complete mechanical contractor in the Lynchburg area, and the incorporation of electrical contracting in 1983. By 1997, Southern Air had diversified further, incorporating a Building Automation Department, Industrial Maintenance Department, and Pipe Fabrication Shop. As our capabilities grew so did our footprint in the region, expanding Southern Air throughout Virginia and into West Virginia and North Carolina.
Award-Winning Safety Culture
We can’t thank our team enough for making Southern Air the company we are! We are committed in finding innovative and original solutions to meet the specific needs of every customer. The awards we receive are a reflection of our team’s excellence and dedication to their craft. We are recognized as a Virginia BEST Level Two company and honored to have earned multiple vendor, innovation and apprenticeship of the year awards.
Most recently, Southern Air received the Associated General Contractors of America’s Willis Tower Construction Safety Excellence Award for 2023, an award we also earned in 2021 for excelling in construction safety performance, occupational health management and risk control.
Most recently, Southern Air received the Associated General Contractors of America’s Willis Tower Construction Safety Excellence Award for 2023, an award we also earned in 2021 for excelling in construction safety performance, occupational health management and risk control.
Southern Air’s Leadership
At Southern Air, our leadership team comprises of nine seasoned professionals who exemplify integrity, expertise, and a steadfast commitment to excellence. Our Board of Directors bring extensive hands-on experience since 1946 and a deep understanding of the industry ensuring we consistently deliver exceptional mechanical contracting solutions to our clients.
Bob Clarke assumed the presidency from founder George Coastan in 1976, spearheading the expansion of our Board of Directors and company capabilities, and laying the foundation for our continued growth. Following Clarke’s retirement in 1998, Ronnie Kidd, a former field electrician who rose to president, led the company with visionary leadership until 2015. Our fourth and current president, Paul Denham, takes Southern Air into the future alongside our board of directors who represent different niches of the mechanical and electrical construction and maintenance industries. They are dedicated to upholding our values and exceeding expectations in every project we undertake.
Bob Clarke assumed the presidency from founder George Coastan in 1976, spearheading the expansion of our Board of Directors and company capabilities, and laying the foundation for our continued growth. Following Clarke’s retirement in 1998, Ronnie Kidd, a former field electrician who rose to president, led the company with visionary leadership until 2015. Our fourth and current president, Paul Denham, takes Southern Air into the future alongside our board of directors who represent different niches of the mechanical and electrical construction and maintenance industries. They are dedicated to upholding our values and exceeding expectations in every project we undertake.
Paul Denham
Southern Air President
Our Vision
To continue our growth towards becoming the preferred Mechanical/Electrical contractor in the Southeast. We foster a culture that incorporates continuous training and growth opportunities for our associates, application and innovative technology, quality workmanship and extraordinary customer service. This is accomplished in an environment where trust and mutual respect are paramount.
Our Mission
Southern Air is dedicated to being the industry leader in designing, constructing and maintaining Mechanical and Electrical systems. We strive for excellence in everything we do, working as a team to benefit our associates, customers, and the communities we serve while never compromising our values and integrity.
Our Values
Safety shall be the first consideration before any task. We value our reputation, promote mutual respect, believe in fair profit, demand high levels of workmanship and foster a culture of trust.