Whittaker Report
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A Productive Commute
Over the last several months, I’ve been a caretaker for an ill family member. It brings me joy to assist in my loved one’s time of need, but I’ve had to learn to perform a balancing act with work, life, and the 5+ hour round-trip drive I’ve been making multiple times...
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
iPad for Economic Development – Top Twenty-Five Apps
By Dean Whittaker Last month, I succumbed to the siren call of the iPad, bought one and fell in love with it. With over 15 million sold to date, it has become one of the fastest adopted electronic devices in history. For those of you waiting for iPad 2, the rumor is...
iPad 2…Already?
By Dean Whittaker Yes, the iPad 2 is out but in very limited supply around the country. Through some quirk in fate, I ended up with one. Now, of course I have to figure out what to do with my iPad. Fortunately, there is a ready market for resale and a waiting audience...
Promoting Entrepreneurism in a Far Away Land
By Vidhan Rana When I first joined Whittaker’s team in January 2008, I had little clue about what economic development really meant. It was a vague term I read in text books, something to do with increasing the economic base of a region. Soon, I learned that job...
Recession-Resistant Industries
By Jami Miedema Can you believe that thirty-two percent of businesses plan to hire full-time employees yet this year, according to a survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com? Despite the sluggish economy, many industries are prosperous and may even face shortages of...
Sustainable Development
By Jami Miedema The world’s consumption patterns continue to be a major issue today as population growth climbs and resources become scarce. Often, when referring to consumption levels, the topic of sustainable development arises, and it forces us to think about the...
Inside the Wall: Nothing Changes
By Todd Smithee On a recent family vacation, my family visited some Mayan ruins, consisting of a 30-acre walled site containing a series of very impressive structures. Several of these structures were designed as sun calendars to help farmers time the planting of...
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Latest
Social Entrepreneurship – An Answer to Global Problems
By Ayush Dev Pant Every business era is dominated by a certain business trend. The trends are set by the response of the market towards various product and service. A trend taking huge leaps in the business domain is Social Entrepreneurship. Social entrepreneurship...
Alexander Hamilton and Martin Luther King, Jr.
By Dean Whittaker While in Chicago recently I had the opportunity to experience the Rap musical, Hamilton, which is about the founding of the United States. It stirred in me a renewed interest in the history of our country and the people that helped bring it about....
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