JE Dunn is bringing back a former executive to take over for its longtime legal chief, who will retire at the start of 2027.
The Kansas City, Missouri-based builder has tapped Colby Cox as its next chief legal officer, according to a Thursday announcement. Cox will replace Tom Whittaker, who will retire after more than three decades with the firm. The move is effective Jan. 1.
Cox’s move is a return to the company that he spent a decade working for. From 2006 to 2017, Cox acted as vice president and regional general counsel in the Atlanta and Kansas City, areas for JE Dunn, according to his LinkedIn. After 2017, he held CLO roles at Chattanooga, Tennessee-based general contractor EMJ and Lexington, Kentucky-based design-build firm Gray.
In his role, Cox will help JE Dunn navigate opportunities and challenges with his experience leading complex legal, risk, compliance, governance and growth initiatives, per the announcement.
Cox will replace a stalwart in Whittaker, who began his career at JE Dunn in 1994, per the announcement. Whittaker helped the firm through decades of expansion while building and leading JE Dunn’s legal, risk management, compliance and government affairs functions.
2026 has been a year of expansion and growth for JE Dunn. In April, the company launched its offsite manufacturing firm, Form Off-Site Solutions, which will focus on four groups of assemblies — metal, wood, building skin and multitrade.
Then, in August, the company expanded its advanced technology group with a power generation unit on the back of a surge in offshoring and artificial intelligence infrastructure, along with aging power infrastructure. It tapped an internal leader, Vice President Ryan Wilson, to lead that unit.
