Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Why Companies are Switching to TikTok for Marketing
A swift change in the app ecosystem can be seen as TikTok has become one of the most effective marketing apps giving others a run for their money. Brands have switched to TikTok to attract its target audience. Musical.ly, the video-sharing app, first gained popularity...
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
Biography
By Mario O'Connell Maria recently began work for Whittaker Associates in September. As a part-time research analyst, her responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data, and speaking to key representatives of target companies in order to predict movement. When...
On Death and Dying
By Dean Whittaker None of us wants to think about death or dying. We pretend that we are immortal and in some ways, we are. Last week I sat with a friend of thirty years as he lay in his bed at home receiving Hospice care after a long illness. We talked about his life...
How to Work a Room
By Jami Miedema As a business major at a local university, I’ve been to my fair share of seminars, social events, and development activities aimed to help students transition into the professional sphere. While the information I’ve learned is of value, I’ve had...
Muzzy
By Joel Burgess MUZZY, is a children's language course designed to help children develop a second language by watching, listening, and imitating what they see and hear. MUZZY is designed to use a multi-sensory approach (visual/spatial, verbal, kinesthetic, musical,...
Determining Labor Availability Within the Unemployed
By Jim Edmonson Last month the New York Times released some great information about the unemployed. In a hardly noticed brief by Phyllis Korkki, the Times examined the composition of the 37 million Americans aged 20 to 64 who do not work, according to data collected...
News You Can Use…
By Dean Whittaker For Your Reading List Leadership is one of the keys to success for organizations. A humorously illustrated booklet written to emphasize this important topic is The Ten Commandments of Community Leadership by Maury Forman and Michelle Harvey. It is a...
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
The Game of Baseball
By Joe Sigler Ever since I can remember, baseball was my favorite sport to play. I recall receiving a glove for Christmas when I was four and asking my dad if we could go out into the snow and play catch. Unfortunately, he made me wait for spring. But every spring and...
Gift of Friendship
By Dean Whittaker If we live long enough, we learn things. More and more I have come to appreciate how my relationships with my friends propel me through life. Whether they be personal, professional or passing, all of these humans are important to me. Among other...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.