When Denise Mincey-Mills, vice president of Turner Construction, one of the nation’s largest construction firms, needed a sharp executive assistant who could juggle projects with multiple deadlines, she knew whom to call. So did Richard Curran, senior vice president of Barton Protective Services, when his firm landed a large contract with the Florida Department of Transportation that included staffing. Both Curran and Mincey-Mills turned to Veldrin "Dee" Freemon, a top staffing expert and one of South Florida’s most successful

and honored business leaders.

As president and CEO of A-1-A Employment of Miami since 1980, Freemon leads a full-service staffing organization with three offices, 50 full-time employees and more than 1,000 skilled people in its employee database, ranging from data entry clerks to CAD designers to project engineers.

"With the level and volume of nation-wide projects Turner has, we need the best personnel — and we need them quickly," Mincey-Mills said. "Dee has never let us

down. She and her team understand our intense corporate culture and deliver highly qualified candidates expertly matched to our

needs."

Freemon said a "high tech high touch" approach ensures clients a level of service that exceeds their expectations.

"While A-1-A offers 24-seven Web-based support, computerized activity reports

and other tech-based services, I constantly remind my team — staffing is a people business. With the ups and downs of the economy,

companies are stressed. I train my staff to stay cool under pressure and put every customer first."

A-1-A Employment

president Veldrin "Dee"

Freemon (second from

left) meets with staff

especially busy day. "I never take my success for granted. I give credit to God every day for my success, my health and my many wonderful relation-ships at work, at home and in the community." Freemon said.

Freemon has been recognized through the years for her business savvy and focus on

outstanding customer service. The local chapter of the National Association of

Women Business Owners named her an out-standing

women business owner in 1995, the Beacon Council honored her in 1997, and the

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce named A-1-A Employment its Business of

the Year in 1999.

Clearly, Freemon has come a long way since joining the staffing firm in 1969 as a

placement clerk. At that time, owner Cye Stevens focused on the hospitality industry,

providing porters, maids and other service people to Miami Beach hotels.

"Mr. Stevens taught me everything about the business," recalled Freemon, who bought the company with a partner in 1980, renamed

it A-1-A, and then became the sole owner. Freemon saw an opportunity to focus on

professional placement in a wider range of industries, opening doors for workers of all races and backgrounds.

"I wanted to do more for people," she said. "I wanted to say to them, ‘You can become the hotel manager or department supervisor. You don’t have to be just a maid

or dishwasher."

Since 1980, Freemon has steadily expanded the range and geographical scope

of A-1-A Employment’s operations. Her company now has three offices in Miami,

recruited, counseled and placed thousands of clerical, technical, hospitality, industrial and administrative professionals at companies large and small in South Florida.

Another organization Freemon directs, the Edgewater One-Stop Resource Center,

provides career counseling and computer training each year to hundreds of workers who have been laid off or who are transitioning from welfare to work.

A highly respected leader in the Miami-Dade community, Freemon is active in Community Bible Baptist Church in South Dade.

"We’re in the process of buying property to build a church, and I'm involved in the welcoming group for visitors to the church."

She is also an active member of numerous professional organizations including the

Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Black

Business Association, National Association of Female Executives and Florida Staffing

Services Association (FLASSA).

Freemon and her husband of 42 years, Lawyer Freemon, have three children: Felicia

Yvette Freemon, a physical therapist at Kaiser College in Ft. Lauderdale; Rachel

Louvonia Freemon, chief clinical dietitian for Jackson Memorial Hospital; and Derrique Vaughn Freemon, a floating temporary employee for her staffing agency.

"At times it’s been difficult raising a family and running a fast-paced company, but

I relish a challenge," says Freemon. "With the support of my terrific team of professionals, the love of my family, and my faith in God,