Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Covid and Its Ripple Effects
Inflation has been in the headlines ever since the rampant spread of Covid. There is no doubt that Covid has caused major havoc as it spread across the world, claiming millions of lives, and leaving some battling long-term health issues. While the Covid waves have...
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
Entrepreneurs: Providing Fuel for the New Economy
By Vidhan Rana Earlier this month, the Kaufman Foundation published the Kauffman Index of Entrepreneurial Activity, its sixth such publication. When the Great Recession of 2008-2009 began, communities saw the impact of mass layoffs and soon realized that giving...
Project Activity Remains Slow as Corporate Profits Increase
By Vidhan Rana According to the U.S. Commerce Department, corporate profits in the country hit an all-time high of $1.659 trillion in the latest quarter. This came as a surprise to me given that many thought the wheels of the U.S. economy had fallen off. The Commerce...
Serving Others
By Jami Miedema The holiday season is here, and again we are reminded to take time to focus on family and friends, the giving of time and resources, and reflecting on the many blessings we’ve been afforded. It is also the time of year in which we are made aware of...
People Who Make a Difference
By Dean Whittaker We have all had a helping hand along the way from mentors and teachers. I was reminded of the role they have played in my life when I received word that one of mine was terminally ill. As I composed a letter to him, I reflected on all the peoples’...
A Decade Goes By – Time For Some Reflection
By Vidhan Rana As I was making plans for a New Year’s party, it suddenly struck me that we were moving into a new decade in a few hours. I then started recalling all the events that have happened both personally and globally over the last ten years. At a personal...
Wow Your New Business Prospects!
By Jami Miedema Whittaker Associates’ clients are in the business of selling – selling products, services, buildings, and communities. So it goes without saying that marketing plays a big role in attracting potential buyers. Daily, we are bombarded with marketing...
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Latest
Book Recommendation: Noah’s Town – Where Animals Reign, By Maury Forman
In Maury’s usual use of humor and a billion puns, he tells us a 21st Century fable to remind us of the need for disaster preparation and recovery. He also points out the importance of creating the tools and the relationships to “weather the storm” and, more...
The Future of Mobility
By Dean Whittaker Mobility – the movement of people and goods from place-to-place. Earlier this month I heard a presentation by Jeff Stout, Executive Director, APDS at Yanfeng, a global automobile interiors manufacturer. In his message he described the autonomous...
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