Whittaker Report
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Cryptocurrency and Inflation
Why does cryptocurrency matter? It matters because cryptocurrency is a sovereign currency beyond the reach of governments. When governments issue more currency to cover the gap between tax income and spending, it deflates the value of the currency. When currencies...
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
Graduation…Now What?
By Jami Miedema It is hard to believe that it’s May already! It is the season when colleges and universities across the country are gearing up for graduation ceremonies, while students cram for the last exams of their undergraduate careers. It is a time of...
The World of Data Centers
By Vidhan Rana As more and more people today watch videos, store their documents and pictures, and get their news online, the need for online storage capabilities has increased tremendously. As we hit the search button on Google's search engine, Google servers in one...
SharePoint Training
By Jami Miedema Whittaker Associates' staff loves to learn new things. That is why when we had the opportunity to discover SharePoint, we were eager to see how implementing a powerful program could assist us in our daily tasks. Our training was split into two 4-hour...
Surviving the Watt-Com Boom
By Jim Bruckbauer It seems as though we are in the middle of a strange time in the renewable energy industries. Some are referring to it as the Watt-Com Boom. Similar to the Dot-Com boom, there has been a large amount of investment into many companies in a particular...
The World is Small (& You Can Be Big)
By Todd Smithee Nearly everyone has read, or at least heard of, The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman. The basic premise of the book is that due to technology, much work can be done anywhere in the world. Legal research is now done in India; technical support is...
Tech Trends (Part 1)
By Jim Bruckbauer Recently, I had the chance to hear an informative speech given by Keith Brophy, the former President of NuSoft solutions, a Microsoft computer consulting firm which was acquired by RCM Technologies in 2008. He is the author of three books on...
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Latest
The Importance of Resilience
By Dean Whittaker As I look back at 2018, I am struck by the turbulence. Every day brings new “bumps.” I am reminded of the FUD Factor of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt - all of which can be dream killers. Everything starts with a hope, a dream, for ourselves and for...
New Year, New Plan of Action
By Brittany Gebben The New Year seems to be most connected with making resolutions, changes or new goals in one’s life. While I appreciate the encouragement of making positive changes or reaching certain goals throughout the year, I don’t always agree with the...
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