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Jeffery Saltzman deals in ice and cold air and enjoys
keeping people 'cool.' Saltzman is the owner of Miami Air Conditioning
and Refrigeration, a company that has been around in one form or
another since 1980.
Jeffery Saltzman outside the offices of his Miami Air Conditioning
Saltzman's father Robert registered the business name
Miami Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Inc., but didn't use it,
instead preferring to operate under the banner of Miami Ice Machine
Co., which he established in 1941.
"He had Miami sewed up," Saltzman said of
his father's business. "He was the largest leasing, service, ice
machine and refrigeration company at the time, but he didn't do air
conditioning."
Saltzman, 40, born and raised in South Miami-Dade and
a 1978 Palmetto High School graduate, said his father gave him the
corporate name when he decided to re-enter the air conditioning
business in 1995. Saltzman had worked for his father shortly after
high school, then departed to form his own firm, Interheat and
Cooling. He sold that company and entered the restaurant business,
opening Classics Deli in Cooper City.
"I thought it would be fun," he said.
"But the restaurant business turned out to be more aggravating
than fun."
After two years of commuting to Broward County six
days a week, rising at 5 a.m. and not getting back home until 9 p.m.,
Saltzman decided to get back into the air conditioning business. That
was when he learned that his father, now retired, owned the business
name he wanted to use.
"He not only gave me permission to use the
name," Saltzman recalled, "he also gave me the phone number
for his old business, which he had held on to. So, all the old
customers that knew my father for so many years started calling me and
business has just been great."
The air conditioning business has been so good to
Saltzman that he feels he should give something back to the community.
He says he often donates ice machines and service to organizations and
civic groups that need them.
"The community has been very good to me,"
Saltzman said. "But, to give something back is even more
rewarding. I'm always looking to donate, always looking to help out
civic organizations, especially those with the kids. I sleep good at
night, knowing that I helped somebody out, helped an organization and
let them to put their money toward better use, like fixing the park or
paying for the uniforms for the kids."
Saltzman, who also worked briefly as a Miami police
officer early in his professional life, also is an active member of
the Police Officer Assistance Trust.
"It helps support the families of slain police
officers," he said. "A buddy of mine, Miami-Dade Sergeant
Dave Greenwell, convinced me to get involved and help out with POAT.
That's how I started. I work the booth at the mall, try to help them
raise money."
Saltzman resides in Palmetto Bay with wife Bethony
Brenman, daughter Nicole, 18, and sons Max, 11, and Brent, 5.
For more information about Miami Air Conditioning and
Refrigeration, 12204 SW 130 Street, please call 305-382-0669.
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