Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Planning for the Unplanned
For over a month, we’ve been watching atrocities unfold in Ukraine. As millions of people fled their homes and country, they had little time or space to grab much more than a small bag of essentials. While it may be unlikely that we ever see that kind of humanitarian...
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
Economic Gardening in the Brave New World
By Vidhan Rana In my two years working for Whittaker Associates, most of the economic development projects in which I worked focused on growth through recruiting businesses from outside the region, often referred to as economic hunting. However, in the past few...
Find News Before It's News
By Jami Miedema Social media tools have become many people's go-to sources for the latest news. Has anyone found out the result of a sports game by a friend tweeting from the event, or realized your college roommate is now married from their Facebook status? Now...
Community Building and Economic Gardening
By Dean Whittaker This month, I had three "ah-ha!" moments when the dim flicker of light flashing through my brain said: "Pay attention." My first "ah-ha" moment occurred while participating in a small group discussion around a book written by Peter Block. The group...
2010s: The Decade for Biotech?
By Vidhan Rana The 2000s were arguably the decade of the internet and social media with names like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn making a big splash in both our economy and culture. So what will be the "it" thing for the next ten years? I believe it is going to be...
Incubators: A Two-Way Street
By Jami Miedema Business incubators have been helping start-up companies across the nation gain access to information, resources, and professional networking opportunities to foster growth and entrepreneurship. But the incubator-tenant relationship isn't all...
Religion and Economic Development
By Dean Whittaker Economic development agencies often team up with local businesses, leaders, and organizations to promote economic, political, and social well-being within their region. But, perhaps, their greatest ally for promoting community matters is left...
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Latest
Choosing Sustainability in a Developing Nation
By Ayush Dev Pant I am writing this article from Kathmandu Nepal. It’s 23rd of May, 6 P.M and it is very gloomy outside. Half an hour ago there was a bright blue sky. By the time I finish writing this article, I expect a thunderstorm. I’ve lived my entire life in...
The Renaissance of the South Bend, Indiana Region
By Dean Whittaker An economic renaissance is underway in South Bend, Indiana, a community of 100,000 on the Indiana/Michigan border. Recently South Bend started an effort to re-invent itself from a declining old manufacturing city with population out-migration...
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