Allied Universal®, a prominent player in security and facility services, has announced the appointment of Josh Ball as vice president of field operations, quality control, and special events within its Allied Universal Event Services division.
Ball arrives with over two decades of expertise in managing security for professional sports, high-profile events, and essential infrastructure. In his new position, he will direct operational quality assurance, consisting of event quality control inspections and comprehensive internal and third-party audits. He will also spearhead special events operations, while focusing on expanding the company’s capabilities in event consulting and risk intelligence.
Event risk intelligence capabilities
Ball transitions to Allied Universal from the Kansas City Chiefs, having held the role of senior director of safety and security.
His responsibilities included overseeing multi-site operations for events such as home games, playoffs, concerts, and special events, notably during the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship. Additionally, he acted as the principal security figure for World Cup matches and led security operations for the Chiefs at the 2024 Super Bowl. Previously, Ball served as senior director of security, safety, and first aid at Churchill Downs, primarily managing security for the Kentucky Derby Week, which attracts about 480,000 spectators.
Enhancing event security
Previously, Ball served as senior director of security, safety, and first aid at Churchill Downs
Ty Richmond, president of Allied Universal Event Services, emphasised the importance of consistent and disciplined security as live events continue to grow in scale and complexity. He stated, “Josh is a proven operational leader, and his focus on field execution and quality will help us continue to raise the standard across our event services business and deliver even greater value to the clients and communities we serve.”
Earlier in his career, Ball occupied the roles of chief of police and director of public safety for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, where he was in charge of law enforcement, emergency management, and physical security for the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, alongside supervising a security modernisation program.
Ball remarked on his new role, “As a former client, I saw the mission and vision of Allied Universal first-hand and I believed in it. The opportunity to join Allied Universal has been an honour and I am excited to continue investing in the industry to enhance event security, operational readiness, and deliver the high-quality service our clients demand and expect.”
Educational background
Ball holds a master’s degree in public administration from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University. He is also accredited as a Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security.
