IRVINE, Calif.—Allied Universal has appointed Josh Ball as vice president of field operations, quality control, and special events for its Allied Universal Event Services business unit.
Ball has more than 20 years of experience overseeing security operations for professional sports, major events, and critical infrastructure. In his new role, he will oversee operational quality assurance, including event quality-control inspections, internal audits and third-party audits. He also will lead special events operations and help expand the company’s event consulting and event risk intelligence capabilities.
Ball joins Allied Universal from the Kansas City Chiefs, where he served as senior director of safety and security. In that role, he oversaw multisite operations for home games, playoffs, concerts, and special events, including the American Football Conference (AFC) Championship.
He also served as the primary security lead for FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and led the Chiefs’ security operations at the 2024 Super Bowl.
Before joining the Chiefs, Ball was senior director of security, safety, and first aid at Churchill Downs, where he led security operations during Kentucky Derby Week, which draws approximately 480,000 attendees.
“As live events grow in scale and complexity, clients expect security that is consistent, disciplined, and world-class at every venue,” says Ty Richmond, president of Allied Universal Event Services. “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 served as chief of police and director of public safety for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. He oversaw law enforcement, emergency management, and physical security for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), while also directing a security modernization program.
“As a former client, I saw the mission and vision of Allied Universal firsthand, and I believed in it,” says Ball. “The opportunity to join Allied Universal has been an honor 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.”
Ball earned a master’s degree in public administration from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University. He also holds the Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) designation from the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security.
