Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
My Travel Photography
Every year, I spend the month of September out West. The ability to work remotely has been a huge blessing (when the wi-fi is good!) that allows me to keep up with my tasks while adventuring to both new and well-loved places. I spend my time kayaking, hiking, and...
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
Food as the New Oil
By Dean Whittaker So, what did I learn this month? While researching for a presentation to the Food Facilities Group of Colliers International, I learned that food as a global resource is on its way to becoming the new oil. By that, I mean that we are facing an...
The Joy of Serendipity
By Dean Whittaker While sailing this summer, we unexpectedly encountered an enormous storm. The speed at which the storm was moving was stunning. Usually, one can see a storm forming and make plans to be in a safe port to wait it out; however, this time that was not...
How the Global Economic Crisis is Playing Out in Emerging Markets
By Vidhan Rana The financial crisis of 2008 is the world’s first true economic crisis. Never before have the world’s economies been so intertwined, nor have the all world’s citizens felt economic fear on such a scale. Even after the United States’ $700-billion...
Life at 7 Knots
By Dean Whittaker Experiencing life at 7 knots (8.4 mph) for two weeks on a sailboat gave me a chance to ponder. So why cast off the dock lines, leave one of the best, if not the best, marina on the Great Lakes and make myself vulnerable to the uncertainties of wind...
Time to Think
By Todd Smithee The amount of “noise” in our lives is increasing at a staggering rate. Instantaneous access to information is not only available, but forced upon us. Email, cell phones, podcasts, text messaging, and news alerts not only interrupt our lives, they...
Should the Price of Fuel Become a Regional Competitive Advantage/Disadvantage
By James Edmonson My wife and I are from opposite ends of the country, Louisiana and Michigan, and own a home in both states. We are blessed with the ability to avoid both the oppressive heat of the south in the summer and the bitter cold of the north in the winter. ...
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Latest
The Packaging Influence
By Ayush Dev Pant Packaging is not just for protection, it is a major marketing agency. Packaging is regarded as a pivotal aspect of any product as it creates the first impression for the consumer. It reflects the brand and it alone has the privilege to alter...
Art and AI
By Adam Hubbell As the human animal has progressed from small hunter-gatherer tribes to full on society, we’ve reduced the time necessary for works of survival (finding food, water, and shelter) via technological advancements from the invention of farming to the...
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