Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
AI in Economic Development – Issue 27.0
The World Before and After AGI: Are We Ready? Something is coming that will change nearly everything and most of us are going about our days as if it isn't. Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, is the point at which a machine can reason, learn, and solve problems...
Recent Podcasts
Episode 32 An Interview with Ron Kitchens - Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Mar 25, 2026 • 00:30:43
In this episode, you will hear from Ron Kitchens, Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc. You will learn how Ron began his 30-year career in economic development as an entrepreneur with a passion for creating jobs, a passion that became a lifelong commitment to helping communities grow and prosper.…
The Whittaker Report Episode 31 An Interview with Vern Schultz
Dec 31, 2025 • 00:28:44
Vern Schultz, SIOR, has been active in Chicago-area commercial real estate for more than 35 years. He joined Colliers in 1977 and currently serves as an Executive Vice President in the Industrial Advisory Group, representing tenants and owners throughout the Chicago market. Since joining Colliers, Vern has completed more than…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 30 - An Interview with Ashley & Eric Canada of Blane Canada AI
Sep 11, 2025 • 00:35:30
Eric has been a pioneer in applying technology to economic development for over 30 years, and together with Ashley—who brings deep expertise in sales and marketing—they’ve transformed Blane Canada into a leader in AI and automation for business development. We’re going to talk about where economic development is headed, how…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 29 An Interview with Dennis Pruitt, Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
Apr 29, 2025 • 00:33:16
Dennis Pruitt, SVP, is the Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. He leads the Chamber’s business recruitment and expansion efforts, economic research, industry sector development, and destination retail initiatives. He also oversees the Greater Oklahoma City Partnership, a 10-county regional economic development alliance. With…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 28 - An Interview with Jen Wakefield, APR, President and CEO at Greater Richmond Partnership
Mar 12, 2025 • 00:27:24
Jennifer Wakefield. Jen is the President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership, where she’s been driving strategic growth and investment in the region since 2021. With over two decades of experience in economic development, marketing, and strategic planning, she’s led transformative projects in both Richmond and Orlando, boosting business…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 27 - An Interview with Barry Matherly, CEcD
Jan 29, 2025 • 00:20:52
In this episode, we hear from Barry Matherly, CEcD, President and CEO of Hickey Global, a full service economic development consulting firm. With over 28 years in economic development, Barry has been helping communities to prosper by creating opportunities for new investment and job growth. As a certified economic development…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 26 an Interview with Kate Engel, Executive Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus
Apr 26, 2024 • 00:17:26
In this episode we hear from Kate Engel, Managing Director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus. Kate Engel. Kate is the interim executive director of the Nebraska Innovation Campus Development Corporation owned by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. Kate’s primary responsibility is to supervise NICDC staff, direct business operations…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 25 - An Interview with Dr. Donald T. Iannone.
Jan 14, 2024 • 00:35:49
In this episode we hear from Dr. Donald T. Iannone, a poet, author, philosopher, and professor of theology. Don shares with us his view of the future of Economic Development and trends impacting the profession. He discusses the longterm impace of COVID on our mind, body and spirit. Do has…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 24 An Interview with Mark James, CEcD, Utility Practice Lead, Hickey Global
Dec 14, 2023 • 00:37:11
In this episode, Mark James discusses the electric utility industry role in site selection, current trends within the industry, electrical capacity, supply chain issues and the need to dramatically invest in the expansion of the grid. Mark also shares with us the future of economic development as seen from his…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 23 - An Interview with Karl Dye, President/CEO of TRIDEC
Nov 24, 2023 • 00:28:59
In this episode, we have a conversation with Karl Dye, President/CEO of TRIDEC (Tri Cities Development Council) serving Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State. Karl discusses the opportunities for economic development organizations in decarbonization, climate change, and the electric power shortage. He also describers where he sees the economic…
Recent Posts
Theme of the Month: Growth
March. Springtime. All around us we see buds emerging on tree branches, the sprouting of plants, and new life flourishing. Nature has awoken from her winter slumber with one goal in mind: Growth! Like nature, how do we as individuals cultivate growth, personally and...
Be The Friend You’re Looking For
Simon Sinek, in a Podcast interview, said that friendship may be one of the most needed - and most neglected - things in our technology-disintermediated world. We’re “connected” all day long, yet real connection is getting harder to find. Social media, the 24/7 news...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 26.0
Building in Economic Development AI "Fallout Shelter" In eighth grade, I built a fallout shelter in my parents’ basement. (Yes, I really did.) I stockpiled my mom’s canned peaches and tomatoes and felt strangely proud of the 30 gallons of “drinkable water” sitting in...
Theme of the Month: Connection
February had me reflecting on connection. This month, we celebrated Valentine’s Day, a day devoted to romantic love, and Black History Month, a commemoration of important people, events, and contributions in African-American history, in addition to a handful of other...
Grieving
The loss of a dear, old friend this past week has drawn me into a period of grieving. Grief is an interesting companion at times like these—uninvited, persistent, and quietly reflective. Yet it also has a way of slowing us down, inviting us to pay attention to what...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 25.0
AI for Seniors: A Pilot Program In the rush to educate business leaders, government officials, educators, and entrepreneurs about artificial intelligence, one important group is often overlooked: senior citizens. You know the group. We gather at senior centers not...
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Latest
From Jobs to Journeys: Ron Kitchens on Economic Development as a Calling
What does it look like when a career becomes a calling? For Ron Kitchens, Managing Partner and CEO of Greater St. Louis Inc., the answer has been a 30-year journey of turning economic potential into human possibility. I recently had the privilege of sitting down with...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 27.0
The World Before and After AGI: Are We Ready? Something is coming that will change nearly everything and most of us are going about our days as if it isn't. Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, is the point at which a machine can reason, learn, and solve problems...
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