Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Yellowstone National Park
As the final article in my National Park Series, I saved the best for last, or at least my favorite for last. Yellowstone National Park is mostly based in the northwest corner of the state of Wyoming, with small sections in Idaho and Montana. Part of the Rocky...
Recent Podcasts
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.
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 21 - An Interview with Alia Abbas, Founder and President of Alia Consulting
May 20, 2023 • 01:13:15
In Episode 21, Alia Abbas shares with us her experience as a first-time attendee at the Select USA Conference, an investment summit in Washington DC annually. It provides an opportunity for economic development organization to meet with potential international investors considering establishing business operations in the United States. Alia Abbas…
Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 20 - An Interview with Nathan Ohle, President/CEO of the International Economic Development Council
Mar 24, 2023 • 00:30:13
Nathan Ohle has been recently appointed as the President/CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Under his leadership, several initiatives are underway, including a comprehensive strategic plan that involves a thorough review of all IEDC membership services. Nathan emphasizes the importance of collaboration in economic development as opposed to…
Recent Posts
Prioritize Time for Hobbies
I was organizing my desk when I came across a piece of paper lodged between some file folders. When I turned it over, I realized it was a “summer bucket list” I had written containing all of the activities I wanted to do during the season. However, this list was from...
Are We Running Out of Electricity?
Each month, we strive to bring you articles on topics we are currently exploring. This month, my focus has been on power grids and solar farms and their potential to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions. My economic development colleagues at electric...
Reducing Food Waste
Food is wasted at every stage of production, from farming to distribution to retail to consumption. Among the causes are cooking losses, intentional food waste, losses from pests, mold, or insufficient climate management. Food waste is a significant global issue....
4 Tips for Hybrid Work Models
Since the pandemic, remote and hybrid work is on the rise, and it’s here to stay. Employees value the flexibility and work-life balance that remote and/or hybrid work offer, but as employers and employees adapt to this evolving work model, best practices have emerged...
AI: Friend or Foe?
Friend Artificial intelligence (AI), a term that has caught our attention for its transformative potential, is already being deployed in myriad ways, improving our lives and boosting productivity. Notable among these AI implementations is ChatGPT, a large language...
Waste Trade: A Global Issue
International garbage in developing nations, commonly referred to as waste dumping or waste trade, is a serious problem that has come to light recently. It entails the transfer of waste from developed countries to emerging or less economically developed countries,...
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Latest
AI in Economic Development – Issue 10.0
Insights from the Latest Webcast Welcome back to The Whittaker Report. This month, I had the pleasure of hosting a webcast titled “Leverage Artificial Intelligence in Economic Development”. We dove into the exciting—and sometimes intimidating—world of AI and explored...
Art of Minimalism
The creative, design, and lifestyle philosophy of minimalism places a strong emphasis on elements' simplicity, clarity, and reduction to their most basic form. Although it began as an art movement in the late 1960s, it has since impacted design, music, architecture,...
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