General Dynamics Names Colburn VP Government Relations

General Dynamics has named Cordis “Cork” Colburn, 57, as vice president – Government Relations. He succeeds G. Kent Bankus, 59, who has held that post since 1993; Bankus will retire at the end of May. Colburn joined General Dynamics in 1992 as a director of Government Relations, focusing on congressional issues relating to U.S. Army programs. He was promoted to staff vice president – Government Relations in 1996. Prior to joining the company, Colburn had served 24 years in the U.S. Army, retiring as a colonel. He served the last four years of his Army career as the deputy chief of Army Legislative Liaison and chief of operations within the office of the Secretary of the Army. Colburn, born March 12, 1945, earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Alfred University and a master’s degree in public administration from American University. He also completed Rice University’s senior executive Advanced Business Management seminar and the senior executive course at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.