Board Members
Commissioner Cathy Dean, President
Commissioner Cathy Dean was sworn in December 3, 2019. She grew up in Fulton, Mo. and is a long-time resident of Kansas City. She graduated from the University of Missouri with an Arts and Sciences degree in English and Public Speaking, teaching junior high English, Speech and Dramatics for 9 years. She obtained a J.D. from the Univ. of Mo. Law School in 1982. Commissioner Dean has significant state and federal courtroom experience, dealing in cases ranging from anti-trust to product liability. From 1985 until her retirement in May 2013, she practiced at the Polsinelli Law Firm in Kansas City. She served on the Missouri Bar Board of Trustees and Board of Governors; was President of the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater KC; received the Dean of the Trial Bar award from the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association; and served on the Board of the Law Foundation of the University of Missouri School of Law. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt appointed her to the State Government Review Commission; Kansas City Mayor Emanuel Cleaver appointed her to serve on his Public Safety Task Force; and Governor John Ashcroft appointed her to the Governor’s Task Force to evaluate the management of the KCMO public school system. She also served as the Chair of the Board of Governors and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors with the Urban League of Greater KC. From May 1989 until October 1994, Commissioner Dean served the Board of Police Commissioners as Secretary/Attorney.
Commissioner Dawn Cramer, Vice President
Dawn Cramer was sworn in on August 31, 2021. Dawn retired from the airline industry after a 28-year career to enter the financial services industry in 2007. She relocated to Kansas City from Dallas, TX, to start Cramer Capital Management with her husband, Bruce. Dawn holds the FINRA Series 7, 66 and AIF. Her securities registrations are through Commonwealth Financial Network®. Her specialty is in working with women who are transitioning from divorce, going into a new career, losing a spouse, and many other circumstances.
Dawn is actively involved in educating women bringing an awareness to the importance of becoming financially independent and maintaining that through proper planning and investing strategies. She founded the Women’s Mastermind Program in early 2012 for women to reach their goals within the many fields of the small business industry.
Dawn completed a high-level leadership program through Klemmer that is known for training Fortune 500 circles. She is a gifted public speaker in advocating for youth to be aware of the importance of making sound life choices as well as encouraging them to say no to violence. In addition, Dawn is currently involved in Clay County Domestic Violence Board and past board member for the Heartland Foundation and Northland Shepherd Center. She is also the founder of the “Let’s Get Jazzed” event, benefitting Charities, with Newhouse, an inner-city shelter for women of domestic violence being the main focus. Dawn is a member of the Atkin Johnson Farm and currently of their 5K Charity run committee, which benefits farm and school education programs.
Dawn is highly active in her children’s lives and is their greatest advocate. She enjoys engaging in outdoor activities such as, horseback riding, hiking, scuba diving, fitness, nutrition, and natural healing.
Commissioner Tom Whittaker, Treasurer
Commissioner Tom Whittaker was sworn in on May 1, 2023.
Commissioner Whittaker has a B.S. degree in Construction Science from Kansas State University and a J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law.
Whittaker is Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President of JE Dunn Construction Company. He has been with J.E. Dunn for more than 29 years and is responsible for managing the legal department and all legal matters. Additionally, Tom oversees JE Dunn’s corporate matters, labor relations, government affairs and compliance.
His business and civic affiliations are numerous and include serving on the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission Board of Directors, the Kansas City Missouri Human Resources Board, the National WWI Museum and Memorial Board of Trustees as Vice-Chair, as well as the Kansas City Missouri Building Codes Committee to name a few. In addition, he is a past president of the Kansas City chapter of Associate General Contractors and past co-chair of Labor Management Council of Greater Kansas City’s Board of Directors.
Commissioner Madeline Romious, Member
Commissioner Madeline Romious was sworn in April 3, 2024. She serves as Regional Vice President of External and Legislative Affairs with AT&T. She has been responsible for AT&T’s external, legislative, and civic engagement in the Kansas City area since 2005. Prior to that she served in various leadership roles in Network at AT&T. Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, Romious received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern University in 1988 and is a proud 1995 Rockhurst University MBA grad. Romious has long held a deep passion for civic engagement. Romious is the co-chair of the Inclusive Prosperity Leadership Workgroup with the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City as well as a Trustee with MRI Global. Romious also serves on the boards of PREP-KC, The Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation, The YMCA of Greater Kansas City Foundation and ArtsKC. Romious previously served as President of The Police Foundation of Kansas City. Romious is a member of the International Woman’s Forum Kansas Chapter, The Women’s Public Service Network and the Greater Kansas City MO Chapter of the Link’s Incorporated.
Mayor Quinton Lucas, Member
Quinton Lucas was sworn in as Mayor of Kansas City, Mo. on August 1, 2019.
An attorney, Quinton earned a law degree from Cornell University and his bachelor’s degree from Washington University. Upon returning to Kansas City from school, Quinton started his career as a law clerk to the Honorable Duane Benton of the United States Court of Appeals. He then practiced business law for several years. At 27, Quinton joined the University of Kansas School of Law faculty, where he continues to teach and write. He also volunteers extensively in area schools and organizations, including providing mentorship in area prisons.
Prior to elected office, Quinton served on the city’s Charter Review Commission and with numerous other civic, philanthropic, and professional organizations. He now serves as Chair of the City Council Housing Committee, where he works with issues related to affordable housing and the future of the city’s housing policy. Quinton also is a member of the committees on Planning, Zoning, and Economic Development; the Airport; Transportation and Infrastructure; Neighborhoods and Public Safety.
David Kenner, Secretary/Attorney
The Board of Police Commissioners selected David Kenner as their secretary/attorney in 2010.
Kenner is an instructor with the Henry W. Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri-Kansas City – business law, commercial transactions, and business ethics. He was previously with the Levy Craig Law Firm serving as President, and Chair of the Transaction Department. He is a member of the Board of Directors of TriCentury Bank, and serves on its Audit, IT, and Compensation Committees. Kenner has been named to The Best Lawyers in America in the practice area of Banking and Finance Law, The Best Lawyers in Kansas City from 435 Magazine, and Kansas City Business Journal’s Best of The Bar. He received the 2016 Law Firm Leader award from Missouri Lawyers Weekly given to chairman, managing partners or other law firm executives who demonstrated extraordinary vision, innovation and leadership, and the 2015 Baron of the Boardroom award from the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association in recognition of a distinguished career representing corporate/business clients.
To contact members of the Board of Police Commissioners, please email BOPC@kcpd.org.