Derek Mayer
Derek Mayer is the Chief Security Officer and Vice President of Executive Protection at P4, bringing more than 25 years of experience in high-level security and protection for U.S. leaders and dignitaries.
Before joining P4, Derek served as the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Chicago Field Office, overseeing operations across Illinois, Wisconsin, and parts of Indiana and Iowa. In this role, he led the office’s dual mission of protecting national leaders and safeguarding the country’s financial and critical infrastructure.
Derek began his career with the Secret Service in 2000 as a Special Agent in the Washington Field Office. From 2008 to 2012, he was assigned to the Vice-Presidential Protective Division, where he had the honor of protecting Vice Presidents Richard Cheney and Joseph Biden. He later joined the Dignitary Protective Division (2012–2014), coordinating security for visiting foreign heads of state and government.
His leadership continued in the Los Angeles Field Office (2014–2016), where he oversaw the district’s budget and protective operations. In 2017, Derek returned to Washington, D.C., to help establish the newly formed Obama Protective Division, serving as Assistant Detail Leader for former President Barack Obama and Detail Leader for former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Relocating to Chicago in 2018, Derek took on the role of Assistant Special Agent in Charge of protective operations before being promoted to Deputy Special Agent in Charge in 2022. He played a key leadership role in multiple Presidential elections, including:
- 2016 – Shift Leader for Presidential Candidate Donald Trump
- 2020 – Detail Leader for (then) future First Lady Dr. Jill Biden
- 2024 – Oversaw all protective visits and campaign stops in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin
Additionally, Derek was responsible for security operations at major national events, including the 2020 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Milwaukee and the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions in Milwaukee and Chicago, respectively.
With a career dedicated to security, protection, and operational leadership, Derek now brings his expertise to P4, ensuring top-tier executive protection and security solutions.
