Board of Police Commissioners

Commissioner Dawn Cramer, 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, Vice President

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, Treasurer

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.

Commissioner Ed Elder, Member

Commissioner Ed Elder was sworn in on June 12, 2024 (appointed by Governor Parson on June 5^th). 

Ed is the President of the Colliers Kansas City office and is responsible for overseeing all brokerage operations of the Kansas City, Missouri and Lawrence, Kansas offices.

Ed remains very active in the sale and leasing of industrial properties, along with providing clients expertise on site selection and development services for new construction in the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Ed has significant experience in representing many local and national clients in their real estate assignments.

A graduate of Kansas State University, Ed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance.

Licensed Real Estate Agent – Kansas and Missouri

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.