JE Dunn Construction Chief Legal Officer Tom Whittaker to Retire, Colby Cox to Return

Posted October 29, 2026

JE Dunn Construction’s chief legal officer, Tom Whittaker, will retire next year, with Colby Cox lined up as his successor.

Whittaker, executive vice president and CLO for the Kansas City-based construction company, announced he will retire in January 2027, according to a Thursday release. Additionally, Colby Cox will return to JE Dunn and succeed Whittaker as CLO.

Whittaker first joined JE Dunn in 1994, and in his time, he has helped build and lead the company’s legal, risk management, compliance, and government affairs functions. He began at JE Dunn in a Counsel role; Whittaker served in several leadership roles in the company, including assistant vice president of counsel, vice president of legal & regional general counsel as well as the senior vice president of general counsel.

“Tom’s legacy extends far beyond the legal function,” Gordon Lansford, president and CEO of JE Dunn said in the release. “He has helped shape our company, mentor countless leaders, and strengthen the relationships that have made JE Dunn what it is today. We are grateful for his dedication, friendship, and leadership, and we look forward to celebrating everything he has contributed to our company over the past 32 years.”

In 2025, Whittaker was named Chief Legal Officer of the Year as part of Ingram’s C-Suite Awards.

Returning to the company is Cox, who previously worked for JE Dunn from 2006-2017. In his previous time with the company, Cox served as vice president of legal & regional general counsel. Following his departure from JE Dunn, Cox went on to serve as Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at EMJ Corporation in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex for over 5.5 years. After that, he would also serve as the CLO of construction firm Gray for over 3.5 years.

Colby Cox is set to return to JE Dunn and will succeed Whittaker as Chief Legal Officer, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Photo credit: JE Dunn Construction.

Cox brings a combination of industry expertise, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of JE Dunn’s culture and guiding principles to the role, according to the release.

“He [Cox] knows our people, our values, and our industry. At the same time, he brings fresh perspectives and experiences that will help us continue to evolve and grow. We are thrilled to welcome him back to JE Dunn and confident in the future of our legal organization under his leadership,” Lansford said in the release.

Founded in 1924, JE Dunn Construction is an employee-owned company with 27 offices nationwide.