Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Goal Setting Using the “Better-than-Nothing” Approach
A couple months ago, I set a lofty goal for myself to be completed by April 1st of this year. Needless to say, that date came and went with me only slightly advancing beyond the starting point. I’ve been in that position many times, and as the date approaches, I...
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
Cyber Warfare
By Dean Whittaker While visiting Shreveport, LA a few months ago, I was given a brief tour of the lobby of the new Air Force Cyber Warfare Center. This brand new, 100,000 sq. ft., high security, $100 million dollar facility sat in the middle of a new 3,000 acre...
Whittaker Associates Opens Office in Nepal!
Okay, so maybe not literally…but Vidhan Rana, one of our employees who has worked several years for us stateside, is now relocating to Kathmandu, Nepal. We’re thrilled that his continued working relationship with Whittaker Associates will expand our footprint in a new...
Creatively Fueling the Local Economy
By Jami Miedema Grand Rapids, MI is currently hosting their 2nd annual ArtPrize festival. During this two week event, the city is turned into an art gallery, bringing together the community with artists from all over the world. This year, 192 local venues, including...
What Would Google Do?
By Dean Whittaker While attending the International Economic Development Conference Annual Meeting in Columbus, OH I sat in on a panel discussion based upon the book “What Would Google Do.” The panel was to address the question, what would Google do if it was in...
Whittaker Associates Launches New Website
By Vidhan Rana Whittaker Associates is pleased to announce that we have just launched our brand new website. The website contains a fresh design, easier usability, detailed explanations of our services, updated content, and a built-in blog. This redesign process was a...
Being vs. Doing
By Dean Whittaker We spend so much of our lives doing, that we often lose sight of being. In his book, “The Power of Pause,” Terry Hershey reminds us what is important verses what is urgent. How many times have we become unconscious to the moment we are in because we...
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
Why I Chose a Career in Data Analytics
By Yang Fu I was born in China and my family has passed down the tradition of practicing medicine for generations. I received my Bachelors degree in China from Xiangya School of Medicine which has a long-standing reputation for medical education in China. My junior...
Making Better Decisions with Al
Created by Laura Leenhouts By Dean Whittaker This month I had the privilege of presenting at the Great Lakes Software Excellence Conference. The theme of the conference this year was "AI." We focused on ways industries are embracing artificial intelligence to...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.