Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
With Change Comes Opportunity!
Why is it that I resist change so much? If opportunity is found in change, you would think I would embrace it. When I asked people if they enjoy change, I found that about 25% do. What if there were no changes? Wouldn’t life become dull after a period of time? It...
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
Life Beyond Email
By Dean Whittaker Modern life seems to consist of an abundance of information and a poverty of attention. Managing the flow of information through our lives has become a full-time endeavor. Dealing with email alone feels to me like swatting flies. As soon as I swat...
Tips on Reducing Your Grocery Bill
By Karla Helvie Over the past few weeks, I have come home from Meijer having spent well above my preferred weekly grocery allowance. I know that this is a symptom of increasing food prices, but this is the first time I have really seen its effects on my checkbook....
A Look into Chinese Etiquette
By Karla Helvie China has been an intense draw for me this summer. Not only is news about China or coverage of the Olympics readily available, but in less than two weeks, I leave Michigan to live and study in Shanghai for four months. One article I read recently...
Companies From Emerging Markets are Making a Mark on the World Stage
By Vidhan Rana The business world has changed significantly over the last few decades as companies from the developing world, especially India, China and Brazil, have ascended to the world stage. One such company is Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a subsidiary of the...
Generation Y Trends
By Jim Bruckbauer As we can see throughout history, each generation has unique factors and experiences that distinguish it from previous cohorts and sets them apart from those to come. Listed below are five attributes of Generation Y that are slowly changing the...
The "Un-Conference"
By Jami Miedema BarCamp was a term I was not familiar with until recently. Even after I learned what it was, it took awhile for me to wrap my mind around it. A BarCamp is a user-generated gathering (on-site, not virtual) created by and for individuals who are eager to...
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Latest
Effective Meetings
By Brittany Gebben Business meetings can be an effective tool to bring a team or group of people together to accomplish a common goal. On the other hand, meetings are also commonly notorious for taking away from productivity and often receive a bad rap for being a...
A Look Ahead
By Dean Whittaker My nature is to wonder. I wonder about lots of things but mostly about the future. I study social, technological, economic, environmental and political trends. One thing I have been puzzled by is why economic development organizations continue...
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