Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Deglobalization’s Impact on Economic Development
Globalization is an economic term. It refers primarily to the free flow of trade and the easy movement of people, goods, and services among countries. During the last 50 years we have outsourced, offshored, and built complex supply chains, along with networks of...
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
When a Child Asks "Why?"
By Patrick Cisler “Daddy, why do I have to eat my vegetables?” “Because they are good for you.” “Why are they good for me?” “Because they have lots of nutrients that your body needs.” “Why does my body need nutrients?” “Because nutrients provide our body fuel to...
Hackerspace…Got an Urge to Create?
By Dean Whittaker While attending the International Economic Development Leadership Summit last week, I heard a panel discussion regarding the concept of hackerspace, a community sponsored, physical space equipped with tools to make things, that is inhabited by local...
Congratulations to the Top 40 Under 40 Up-and-Coming Economic Developers!
By Dean Whittaker Have you ever wondered who the up-and-coming talents are in economic development? Developer Counsellors International has, and they conducted a contest last fall to find out…here’s the list.
The Spare Hours Marketplace
By Jami Gibson I spent a lot of time seeking knowledge this month when I was home sick with the flu. To pass the time, I read and watched videos online, which is how I came across another great TED talk. In his presentation, titled “A New Kind of Job Market,” Wingham...
In Defense of Social Networking
By Patrick Cisler When it comes to conversations regarding “Social Networking,” I am often struck by the conflicting points of view shared by the same person. I often hear individuals, organizations, or groups state that they need a social networking presence, such as...
Boost Your Business Performance by Taking a Leap of Faith
By Anuradha Tandukar Working hard is important; there is absolutely no doubt about that. But how about working smart at the same time? It may seem that working smart is as important as working hard. Now the real question arises; do you have faith in your hard work, in...
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
My Torch Lights
By Sambridhi Shrestha With the increasing cases around the world we are imprisoned in our houses. There are many things to be grateful about but there are many things that are disturbing and establish a big question mark on our future. The future looks blurry and the...
Adaptability- the Ability to React Well to Change (and a lot of it)
By Brittany Ryzenga I recently listened to an insightful TedTalk podcast by venture investor Natalie Fratto titled, “Three Ways to Measure your Adaptability—and How to Improve it.” When Fratto is determining which start-up founder to support, she doesn’t look...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.