Guarding celebrities like Eva Mendes, Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, 50 Cent and Eminem, Kevin VanMiddlesworth’s Platinum Group Security, which also provides protection for big companies around the world, is at the top of its game.

“We hire only the highest quality, most experienced guards,” explains VanMiddlesworth, president and CEO of Platinum Group Security based in Deerfield Beach. “They are law enforcement stars, former military personnel, or corporate security professionals with years of experience in the security industry.”

The company, with offices in Miami, New Jersey-New York, Houston, Los Angeles and soon, Las Vegas, strives to exceed the client’s expectations by using effective and innovative practices to please corporate and business clients, as well as high-profile people and events, like the Video Music Awards in Manhattan.

In 1996, while a Florida Atlantic University college student studying criminal justice, VanMiddlesworth started the firm with his own money, two security officers and one client. Today, his Platinum Group Security has a whopping 500 full-time and 350 part-time security officers. “I started with high-rise condo accounts and grew organically by hard work, honesty and being involved in day-to-day issues,” explains VanMiddlesworth, who worked in his grandfather’s New Jersey based security business, honing his talents. “I also believe in a handshake. I am a man who stays true to my word.”

Consequently, he has no turnover. His upper management has been with him from the beginning. Some are high school buddies from Somerville, NJ. “We run a tight ship and never forget that we are customer service oriented,” he says.