Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Lessons from the Dirt
Well, more accurately, lessons from the dirt in my garden. The soil is the foundation of the garden, containing both the nutrition the plants need and the moisture to move the nutrition from the soil up through the roots and out the leaves where carbon dioxide is...
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
Developing the Conscious
By Rebecca Rooy International development is a passion of mine. Much of my past work and studies have been focused on the economic disparity of developing nations. However, with the increasing gap between the rich and the poor of our nation, I’m beginning to realize...
Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies
By Joel Burgess Last month, my wife and I had the privilege of traveling to Trinidad and Tobago, the southernmost islands in the Caribbean Sea. In fact, the closest point of Trinidad is a mere nine miles from Venezuela. We stayed at the Trinidad and Tobago Urban...
Times Like These Require Leadership
By Jim Edmonson Communities across America are in economic and social transition. Productivity gains and competition have turned manufacturing upside down. We have entered the information age, with completely reinvented communication methods and the divide between the...
Building Relationships
By Todd Smithee Strong, healthy relationships are based on credibility and trust. The more important the relationship, the more time it takes to build that credibility and trust. This is as important in business as it is in our personal lives. A positive,...
The Talent Wars
By Dean Whittaker Three of the presenters at the recent CoreNet Conference in Atlanta used the term “The Talent Wars” to refer to the struggle companies are beginning to feel in meeting their staffing needs. Finding, Getting and Keeping Talent was the theme of the...
Biography
By Jim Bruckbauer Jim Bruckbauer, Account Manager Jim will mine his skills in strategic planning and his knowledge of current business trends as the latest addition to the Whittaker Associates team. He will direct a variety of projects as our Account Manager. A...
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Latest
Mindfulness
By Brittany Gebben How do we stay focused and aware of the present situation when there are so many internal and external stressors or distractions pulling our mind elsewhere (on top of all the other data our brains are taking in)? Everyone has their own personal...
How Important are College Grades for the Marketplace?
By Ayush Dev Pant The education system which we have today intensively focuses on grades. Majority of students aim for higher grades with the aim of attaining a fine job in the future. But Nine out of 10 employers believe students should focus on soft skills, such as...
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