Renee Hughes

Founder and CEO of Freelance Assist

I have always appreciated the value of serving others. From my volunteer work to the work I do in my office. I grew up in an environment that taught me the value of working hard, showing integrity, and caring for others. These learned values were demonstrated, when at the age of 18, I began volunteering full-time  in my community as a teacher. To this day,  I have continued my teaching which has become one of my most treasured activities.

I began my corporate career as an Executive Assistant on Wall Street.  Over the years various opportunities  gave me experience in business development, marketing and client relations. Using this experience and uniting my love of service, keen understanding of human nature, and professional and organizational skills, I developed Freelance Assist.  Freelance Assist is the perfect outlet for me to use my talents in developing and nurturing relationships with my clients and my team.  As a result of this unique blend, my clients benefit greatly: genuine concern, diligence, and commitment is shown for every project in which I am entrusted.

I am often asked, “What is your greatest strength?”  One of my greatest strengths is the ability to discern the needs of the people around me and provide direction and support to any individual or team – whether it be one of my students needing direction or one of my clients needing a new, unique program to complete tasks, retain clients or increase visibility.

I am results oriented and am committed to providing every client the service they need to become more productive, to be able to retain their clients and to be more visible to prospects.

Meet The Team

Melanie Blue

Executive Director

Melanie has over fourteen years of experience serving as an executive assistant for Verizon Communications and BAE Systems.  While at Verizon, Melanie worked her way up from an Administrative Assistant to an Executive Assistant supporting two Vice Presidents.  In each of these roles, she has provided marketing and administrative support to staff and clients, even revising office administrative processes to improve the company’s accuracy, efficiency, productivity, and revenue.  Melanie employs superior attention to detail, analytic abilities, and problem-solving skills.  As her recent supervisor commented, “Melanie is a superstar!  She can organize and arrange anything!  She is a trustworthy, ambitious, and savvy professional.”

Melanie is currently seeking a degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Jillian Hammontree

Administrative Consultant

Jillian has served in many capacities during her extensive career, including working as a legal secretary/paralegal, customer service representative, executive assistant, and office manager.  In these roles, she has developed excellent communication skills; the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, meticulously ensuring accurate and prompt completion of all projects; and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and QuickBooks.  Recently, a client remarked that Jillian is a “hard worker and ultimate professional who is passionate about each assignment given to her.”

Jillian graduated from the Chattahoochee Technical College in 2010 with a degree of Applied Science in Accounting and after earning certificates in payroll accounting and tax preparation.

Leezette Baker

Executive Assistant

Leezette has an impressive 25 years of experience serving as an executive assistant.  Throughout her career, she worked chiefly for a leading engineering firm, at times reporting directly to department heads.  She is widely recognized for her communication skills, ability to troubleshoot even during stressful moments, company loyalty, and doing whatever is required to complete her task well and on time.  Once client expressed that Leezette “is a hard worker and will care for every issue as if it were her own.”

Michelle Swick

Chief Editor & Copywriter

Michelle has over thirteen years of experience serving as an editor, executive assistant, and paralegal for the government and in the private sector.  During her career, she has worked as a conference assistant to a Justice at the Supreme Court of the United States, a reader and editor for a federal judge at the U.S. Court of Appeals, and a medical-legal assistant at two local law firms.  In each of these positions, she has been able to use and enhance her publishing and graphic design skills, even receiving special recognition from a Justice for her artwork contribution.

Michelle graduated from the University of Maryland at Baltimore in 1994 with High Honors.

Matthew Martin

Creative Director

Matthew is adept in Web design (both visual and backend coding/programming), graphic design, and illustration.  While in college, he started his own web design business where he developed WordPress-based sites for small businesses and tutored students at the Art Institute of Washington in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and HTML/CSS.  Prior to this, he created promotional materials, such as email blasts and brochures, for various company clients.  He is skilled in producing quality products even under intense deadlines.

Matthew graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the Art Institute of Washington in March 2013.

Leigh Maxim

Graphic Designer

Leigh is a highly creative Graphic Designer with eight years of experience in print, multimedia, and marketing.  In fact, in one of Leigh’s recent positions, she tripled a company’s client base with her custom design and marketing strategy!  In addition to this professional experience, Leigh is skilled in illustration, typography, motion graphics, photography, and Web design.  She is passionate about developing logos; mixing mediums to develop unique and eclectic styles and aesthetics; and producing works of art that help clients connect with their customers. She is a dynamic team player and accustomed to excelling in deadline-driven environments.

Randy Hughes

Managing Director of Accounting

Henry Randolph (Randy) Hughes, III, serves as MD of Accounting for Freelance Assist he also founded Counting Pennies LLC, an expanding accounting firm with domestic and international clients. During his remarkable career, Randy has served as an accountant for a Big Four accounting firm, KPMG; a Controller in the hospitality industry; an accountant in the health care field; a loan officer; and a tax preparer.  Despite his credentials, Randy is known best by his colleagues and clients for his history of volunteer work and his outgoing spirit, even winning an award for best personality at a University of Michigan business program.  One client quipped, “Randy is a brilliant professional, a genius at saving money and balancing books, and able to help [every person] financially.”

Randy graduated from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.  In addition, he has received numerous certifications in tax preparation and bookkeeping.

Boscolo Vides

Accounting Associate

Boscolo has worked in the hospitality industry at five star hotels, such as the Mandarin Oriental, for 7 years, where he served as a sales coordinator.  In this position, he booked and helped manage large conferences.  For the past few years, he has handled bookkeeping and accounts receivable at Handwriting Without Tears, a company that provides educational products and training to educators and parents.  Boscolo consistently employs superior thoroughness in all assignments and thrives on customer service, stating that his goal is to make every customer happy, caring even for the smallest details.