Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
On the Move
When was the last time you moved your residence? After 27 years in the same house, my wife and I are moving to a condo. Moving from 2,200 sq. ft. to 1,100 sq. ft. does present some logistical challenges in terms of “downsizing” to fit the new space. Here are a few...
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
Mashups in “The Age of the Unthinkableâ€
By Dean WhittakerNo, it is not a car accident but rather the combining of two or more ideas to create a new idea. Mashups are about the innovation that occurs at the intersection of ideas. A good example of a mashup is www.TED.com, in which a conference is held each...
Smart Growth Achievement Winners
By Jami Miedema Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency awarded four entities with the National Award for Smart Growth Achievement. This honor is to recognize remarkable approaches to development that promote smart growth through economic and...
2010 Economic Outlook: Will it be a recovery with jobs?
By Vidhan Rana Most economists agree that the economy in 2010 is going to be better than it was in 2009. But how much better will things really be? Will we see job growth? Will firms continue the massive layoffs that we saw in 2009? According to some economists, the...
Blue Ocean Strategy – For High-Impact Companies
By Dean Whittaker Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne is subtitled, How to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant. The primary premise of the book is that one is better off innovating rather than competing. By using...
For the "Common Good"
By Dean Whittaker Coming together for "the common good" has long been one of the Holland/Zeeland, Michigan area's strengths. Rather than asking ourselves the question,"What's in it for me?" I found our community asking the question, "What's in it for us?" I have seen...
It Takes So Little to Look So Good
By Todd Smithee Okay, so the economy is not what we would like it to be. We have all heard about how sales are slow, costs need to be cut, and lack of consumer confidence. Well, based on the service levels I received when refinancing my home, you would think we are in...
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Latest
My First Job
By Sambridhi Shrestha It was during my second semester of college, while studying to get my Bachelors in Business Administration, when I applied as a part-time researcher for Whittaker Associates. I didn’t expect to get the job, but as luck would have it, I did! It...
“The Book of Why”
By Dean Whittaker While attending a geek conference, Big Data Ignite, this month I purchased a copy of “The Book of Why.” In it the authors, Judea Pear and Dana Mackenzie, discuss the science of cause and effect which is based on mathematics. As with any science, it...
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