Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Yoga for the Body and Mind
The benefits of yoga have made it increasingly popular worldwide. While the practice is ancient, it is still used as a source of exercise and relaxation in our modern world. Yoga is considered a healing process for the body and mind. Yoga for the Body Physical health...
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
Trading Securities: Homeland Security at the Cost of Economic Security
By Jami Miedema Every year, international travel to the United States brings in approximately $80 billion to our economy. Unfortunately, in the last five years the number of foreign travelers to the U.S. has dwindled by 17%. The September 11 attacks have much to do...
Beam Me Up…Taxi
By Rebecca Rooy It's time to embrace the third dimension. Convenient sky travel has always been tantalizing. Dreams of whirling hovercrafts have lingered in our minds for decades: on-demand, point-to-point air travel specifically designed for one's personal travel...
Broken Barriers Equals Unparalleled Advancement
By AJ Musial Though limitations experienced on the Internet have steadily been resolved over the past thirty years, more barriers have been broken in the past few years than ever before. Data storage and portability limitations will soon be a problem of the past; the...
The Whittaker Report Streaming as RSS
By Stephanie Poll A couple of months ago I wrote an article about RSS, Really Simple Syndication--what it is and how it can be used and implemented. Whittaker Associates has now added this feature for The Whittaker Report . Instead of receiving The Whittaker Report...
Beer, Barley, & Biofuel
By Joel Burgess Jean-François van Boxmeer, the Dutch brewer and chief executive of Heineken, warned last week that the expansion of the biofuel sector was beginning to cause a “structural shift” in European and U.S. agricultural markets. So, how may this affect you?...
Who's Your Best Local Partner?
By Jim Edmonson Who endorses more investment in research and development? Who favors the expansion of alternative fuels? Who advocates for a 21st Century transportation network? Who embraces innovation? Who wants to reduce urban congestion? Who wants to sell more...
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
Where Are All of the Babies?
By Brittany Gebben The U.S. birth rate hit an all-time low this past year with the number of babies born in the country in 2018 being its lowest level in 32 years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3.79 million babies were born last year…....
Almost Heaven: Pokhara
By Sambridhi Shrestha Located 200 kilo meters away from the capital of Nepal, Pokhara is the best option for a weekend getaway. This valley is one of the gems of Nepal, consisting of seven popular lakes and with a top notch mountain view. The most famous lakes...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.