Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
We Are Definitely Not in Kansas Anymore…
The Whittaker Report newsletter is dedicated to keeping readers informed about the latest advancements in technology and their potential impact on society. In this article, we will explore three cutting-edge technologies: ChatGPT, Metaverse, and Web3. ChatGPT, also...
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
Change is the Only Constant
By Raphael Wieland “It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be.” -Isaac Asimov,...
Networking and Connecting
By Zach Rehfus The professional world has everything to do with who you know. The way you do business can usually be reflected by how you treat people on a personal level and connect with them in a non-business setting. My goal when meeting someone is always to learn...
Quantum Computing
By Sailesh Dhungana With a growing need for more storage and better efficiency to perform various tasks, universities, research centers, and companies have started looking at a radically different way of computing. Quantum computing uses concepts from quantum...
Never Quit!
By Jashmin Tandukar Does it seem like, despite our best efforts, things never work out as we planned? Are you in despair because just when it seems you are making progress something goes wrong? At such times it is easy to feel defeated and to give up, but what can we...
What Makes Outsourcing an Ethical Business Decision?
By Sharad KC In their book, Outsouring America, Ron Hira and Anil Hira touch on an article published in BusinessWeek, from February 3, 2003. It said, “A new round of globalization is sending upscale jobs offshore. They include chip design, engineering, basic research-...
Webinar Recording: "The Art of Branding a Community: The Ten Things You Need to Know and Do"
Did you miss our live webinar event? If so, you may not know that 97% of community-based marketing is ineffective, that 70% of retail spending happens after 6pm, or that marketing phrases like "something for everyone," "beauty and heritage," and "recreational...
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Addiction
By Sambridhi Shrestha Do we own a phone or is it the other way round?Drug addiction, rehabilitation as a cureAlcohol addiction, rehabilitation as a cureAnd most importantly PHONE ADDICTION... What is the cure??? One of the most underrated addictions of the...
The Power of Focus and Flow
By Dean Whittaker My meditation this morning was on the power of focus and flow in daily life. My routines have been disrupted by a pandemic. I am finding that being present and focused for small moments in time is the best I can do. My daily routines of...
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