Block by Block Announces Derreck Hughes as Executive Vice President 

VP of Operations Promoted to Newly Created Executive Role to Support Continued Growth and Strategic Planning 

Block by Block, the nation’s leading provider of Ambassador Services for public spaces, recently announced the promotion of Derreck Hughes to the newly created position of Executive Vice President. Hughes, who currently serves as Vice President of Operations, will assume expanded responsibilities across the organization as Block by Block continues its strategic growth trajectory.  

In the last decade, Block by Block has nearly doubled its operational size and now operates more than 200 unique programs nationwide, providing cleaning, safety, hospitality, outreach, and specialized urban place management services. Earlier this year, Block by Block launched Civicity, a specialized public safety affiliate focused on human-centered security solutions, further expanding services provided for public spaces. The creation of the Executive Vice President role reflects Block by Block’s continued investment in leadership infrastructure designed to support long-term scalability and innovation.  

Blair McBride, President of Block by Block, praised Hughes’ contributions to the organization’s success and his readiness for the expanded role. 

“Derreck has shown an ever-increasing ability to think and operate strategically, which has been important as we’ve implemented and executed plans for scaling Block by Block,” McBride said. “We’ve both been committed to ensuring that even as the organization has grown, we’re able to deliver the same level of personalized service to our customers. As we move into the next chapter of growth, Derreck’s really well-positioned to take on a larger role in defining and leading our evolution.” 

Since joining the company in 2000 as a Security Officer with Block by Block’s predecessor company, Brantley Security, Hughes has held leadership roles across nearly every level of the organization, including Project Manager, Regional Vice President, and Vice President of Operations. His hands-on operational experience, combined with deep knowledge of public space management, has helped shape many of the systems and processes that support Block by Block’s continued growth today. Hughes’ promotion also reflects Block by Block’s long-standing commitment to developing leaders internally. 

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve had throughout my career at Block by Block,” Hughes said. “I started at the ground level more than two decades ago, and being able to grow through so many different roles has given me a unique perspective on both our business and the people behind it. Block by Block has always been a place where we’re trusted to step up, make things happen, and help shape the future of the organization. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and excited to continue helping shape where we go next.” 

Hughes has also played a key role in strengthening Block’s industry leadership and partnerships. He has served as a Board Member of the International Downtown Association (IDA) since 2019 and has been an active advocate for advancing urban place management organizations nationwide. 

In his new role as Executive Vice President, Hughes will work closely with the executive leadership team to strengthen organizational alignment, identify operational opportunities, and guide both short- and long-term strategic planning initiatives. He will help oversee the continued evolution of Block by Block and Civicity while ensuring the organization remains focused on innovation, operational consistency, customer partnership, and creating vibrant public spaces nationwide. 

“Block by Block is in an exciting position right now,” Hughes said. “As our industry continues to evolve, we have an opportunity to keep raising the standard for how public spaces are supported and experienced. I’m looking forward to helping guide the continued growth of both Block by Block and Civicity while keeping us focused on innovation, strong operations, and genuine connections with our teams and customers.”