Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
How Displaced People are Driving Local Economies
Founder and executive director of African Entrepreneur Collective, Julienne Oyler, presented an inspiring TED talk earlier this year in which she described the life-changing economic opportunities that happen when aid systems invest in displaced people in addition to...
Recent Podcasts
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…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 22 - An Interview with Lee Crume, President & CEO of BE NKY
Jul 20, 2023 • 00:19:11
Learn about BE NKY, a regional economic development organization and hear from Lee Crume, President & CEO of the organization as he describes the success they are having and his view of the changing nature of economic development.
Recent Posts
“Seeing” for the First Time
Recently, I had the privilege of witnessing a heartwarming moment when my 52-year-old friend, who has been blind since birth, was able to "see" his room for the first time. Using a smartphone camera and the Microsoft Seeing AI app, he received an audible description...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 7.0
AI as a Teacher One way I have found to use AI as a teacher is using a Prompt that gives AI a role to play and then make a request of what I want to learn by asking for the “first principles” of a particular domain of knowledge. For example, I am interested in...
Making Your Website Accessible
According to the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative (W3C WAI), web accessibility means that “websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can…perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and...
Health Benefits of Asian Cuisine
Over the years, Asian cuisine has become more popular in the western world and has taken over the market in terms of the health benefits and flavorful taste. Asian cuisine is incredibly diverse. From Vietnamese Pho to Indian curries, there's a vast array of flavors...
The Gift of Life
Recently I experienced the death of an 89-year-old friend. He was a truly remarkable person as was made apparent in the eulogies given by his family members and friends at his service. He left behind a beautiful legacy. Reflecting on his impact and the way he quietly...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 6.0
AI and Your Digital Twin This week brought an enlightening perspective from a conversation between LinkedIn's Reid Hoffman and his digital twin. In his engaging Q&A, Reid urges us to dedicate 30 minutes daily to exploring various AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Pi.ai,...
Schedule a Consultation
Get In Touch
The Whittaker Report
Sign up to receive helpful tools and insightful posts.
Phone
616.403.5076
Address
156 West 11th Street
Suite 107
Holland, MI 49423
Latest
AI in Economic Development – Issue 19.0
Artificial Intelligence—Is the Emperor Really Naked? Recently, I came across an intriguing article titled, "The Emperor Has No Clothes," highlighting the outsized hype surrounding artificial intelligence—or what I prefer to call digital intelligence. This got me...
Trends in the Beverage Industry
Over the past several years, the beverage industry has seen demand shift away from alcoholic and sugary drinks towards more healthy alternatives. You may have seen a “mocktail” section on a drink menu while dining out, encountered online ads for functional coffee, or...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.