Service Beyond the Uniform: How Veterans Continue to Strengthen Communities at Block by Block 

For many Block by Block Ambassadors, serving their communities is more than a job. It is a calling rooted in dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to something larger than themselves. For several Ambassadors and leaders across the company, that spirit of service began in the United States military and continues today in downtowns and neighborhoods nationwide. 

As we honor Veterans Day, we celebrate the veterans of Block by Block whose experiences in the Armed Forces helped shape the leaders, teammates, and community servants they are today. 

For Operations Manager Khalief Gamble of the Downtown Gainesville Ambassadors, military service was part of a family tradition long before it became his own. 

“I have 10 immediate family members who have served in the Army, so joining was something that was deeply rooted in my family’s history,” Gamble said. 

Inspired by that legacy, Gamble served as an Army cavalry scout, stationed in Fort Hood, Texas, and in South Korea. 

“I wanted to continue that legacy, serve my country, and challenge myself to grow as a person,” he said. 

That desire for personal growth and meaningful service also led Jason “Jay” Barber, now an Outreach Specialist for Downtown Vision, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida, to join the Navy. 

“I was driven to serve in the military by a desire to serve my country, challenge myself, and build a better future,” Barber said. “The experiences helped me grow as a person and gave me memories and perspectives I will always value.” 

Dennis Roberts, Block by Block’s Vice President of Operations, said joining the Air Force offered an opportunity to find direction. 

“I was in a lot of trouble as a kid and needed structure and discipline,” Roberts recalled. 

Over the course of seven years in the Air Force, Roberts served in Strategic Reconnaissance and with the 77th and 37th Bomber Squadrons. While the technical skills and leadership lessons proved invaluable, it was the relationships forged through service that left the deepest impression. 

“The camaraderie was unlike anything I’ve experienced since,” Roberts said. “When you are putting your life in someone else’s hands, you become permanently tied to each other.”’ 

For Bradley Gooslin, a Clean and Safe Ambassador with Denver’s Ballpark General Improvement District, military service was about contributing to a cause greater than himself and the importance of working with others. “I’ll always remember the camaraderie with other servicemen and women,” he said. 

For Corey Middleton, an Ambassador with the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, military service opened doors to experiences that extended far beyond home. As a Navy Petty Officer Third Class stationed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in Norfolk, Virginia, Middleton developed a strong attention to detail, a sense of pride in his work, and an appreciation for different cultures. 

“I got to experience places and cultures I never would have otherwise,” he said. 

While each veteran’s path was unique, common themes emerge in their stories. Discipline, accountability, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership remain guiding principles long after their military careers ended. 

Jody Cook, Operations Manager for Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, served twenty years in the Army, including two tours in Iraq and three tours in Afghanistan. He said it gave him the skills needed for success outside of the service. 

“I brought with me leadership, communication, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to respond to any situation quickly with the best results,” he said. 

Gooslin credits his Army experience with strengthening his focus and commitment to supporting those around him. 

“I’m very conscientious of my team members and working to support team aims,” he said. “I’m disciplined and focused on carrying out the task at hand.” 

For Gamble, the lessons learned in uniform continue to influence his approach to leadership every day. 

“My military background taught me that leadership is about serving others, building trust, supporting your team, and working together toward a common mission,” he said. “Those principles continue to guide me in my role at Block by Block.” 

Whether serving overseas, aboard ships, on military installations, or now in the heart of the communities they support, these veterans share a common commitment to service. Their dedication has not ended with their military careers. Instead, it has evolved into a new mission: making neighborhoods cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone. 

This Veterans Day, Block by Block proudly recognizes and thanks all veterans throughout the organization whose service, sacrifice, and leadership continue to make a difference every day.