Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Where Are All the Cars?
By a quirk of fate, I find myself in the used car market. I spent yesterday touring six different automobile dealerships looking for used cars, of which, there are none. The situation is that new cars are sold in advance with a significant waiting list. Therefore,...
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
Attitude…It Makes all the Difference
By Dean Whittaker How many times have you heard that it is not what happens in life, but how you react to it that matters? Life can deal us some pretty crummy cards from time to time, but our attitude can make all the difference in the outcome. Where does our attitude...
Farming the Field vs. Low Hanging Fruit
By Patrick McConahy There are basically two main ways in which economic development organizations can pursue leads. One way is to look for those few companies out there that we classify as “low hanging fruit”. These companies have plans to grow immediately and rapidly...
The Ever-Expanding Emirate
By Jami Miedema Can you imagine living in a city whose attractions boast “The World,” the 8th World Wonder, and the tallest architectural structure on the globe? For residents in the city of Dubai, UAE, one of the fastest growing cities in the world, this is rapidly...
Profitability: It’s About More Than Just the Bottom Line
By Patrick McConahy Probably one of the biggest challenges a boutique firm faces is the bottom line. Salaries are typically 75 – 90% of the firm’s annual operating cost. Some clever business practices to ensure that a firm of this size stays afloat are a diversified...
Performance Consulting: Just What Your Firm May Need
By Patrick McConahy It's no secret that the economy could be better. All across the country businesses and firms are experiencing losses and cutbacks, disheartening and disorienting employees, managers, and owners alike. Both long-time employees and new hires are at...
News You Can Use – Websites for Travel Deals
By Dean Whittaker Those of us who travel frequently are always looking for an edge. Here are a few ideas that appeared in an article in the New York Times on April 7. If you haven't yet discovered www.sidestep.com , you will find it to be a helpful way to compare...
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Latest
Escaping Your Media Bubble
By Adam HubbellIn today’s highly politicized media environment, it’s important to get one’s news from different sources. It’s very easy to fall into a media bubble because it’s nice to see news that reinforces one’s own opinion; everybody likes to feel right. From the...
IAMC September 14–17, 2019 Milwaukee, Wisconsin
By Dean Whittaker This month I had the privilege of attending the Industrial Asset Managers Council’s conference held in Milwaukee Wisconsin. To make the trip more interesting, I took the 12,000 horsepower 35 knot high speed catamaran Lake Express Ferry ....
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