Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
The Rent-Driven Economy
We now rent almost everything. Our entertainment is streamed to us (for a fee). We no longer own our music on CD but, for a fee, Spotify or Apple will stream it to us. The software on our computers is rented from Microsoft or Google, and we pay for the use of 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
Placing Your Community on the Global Investment Map: Small Steps You Can Take
By Vidhan Rana In recent years, economic development professionals have had to face up to the fact that their community is just a small part of the global economy. Marketing your community just within your state or your region is a challenging job in itself, but now...
Relationship-Building Blocks
By Jim Bruckbauer As professionals, we are experienced enough to know how important relationships are to everything we do. Not a lot of people will tell you that they’ve reached personal or professional goals all by themselves. Besides, many will tell you that...
Emergence of the Virtual World: Wii Fit
By Maria O'Connell We are all aware that America has a reputation for obesity, and most disturbing may be the rapidly increasing weight of young people. Many studies have placed strong blame on the video-gaming world – namely the idleness that is linked to this...
Process Mapping
By Jami Miedema If one were to ask two individuals the steps they perform to achieve the same end result, chances are, they will have different methods of completing the task. While this may not matter for some assignments, it may be an inhibitor for getting other...
Crossing Borders
By Joel Burgess According to the inter-governmental International Organization for Migration, more than 190 million people currently live outside of their home country. This is equal to about one person for every thirty-five people; what’s more is that the number is...
You Planted the Seed. Be Sure to Water It!
By Todd Smithee So you’ve just come across a very good lead that you really felt was a good fit for your company’s product or service. The prospective customer has a need for your offer. You can easily cost-justify replacing their existing solution with your offer. ...
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
Gratitude for Friendship
By Dean Whittaker As we celebrate Thanksgiving, I am reminded of the things for which I am grateful. This month I received an email from an old friend who attached a letter that I had written him in 1977 congratulating him on his new position as president/CEO...
WA Trends of 2019
By Brittany Gebben As we wrap up 2019 (how can it be?), I thought it would be interesting to take a look into this past year’s SmartLeads™ trends. Throughout the year we’ve served many wonderful clients and have seen trends in active industry sectors as...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.