Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
What I Learned Sailing
I’m fortunate to live in West Michigan where I can pursue my passion for sailing on Lake Michigan, a lake 118 miles wide and 307 miles long, and Lake Muskegon. The two are connected by a canal about ¼ mile away from where I keep my small daysailer, Pearl, moored....
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
MIT’s Technology Review
By Jeff Vedders Interested in what’s next? What technologies are in development for the automotive industry? What is expected to be the next “hot item” within biotech? You could spend hours researching these industries, or you could take a look at MIT’s Technology...
Projects, Projects, Projects – Where Are They?
By Pete Julius Over the past few years we’ve seen a significant drop in the number of new and expanded facility activities. Of course, when you compare that to the mid 90’s, when the economy was growing by leaps and bounds, anything below that level of activity seems...
A Look at the Plastics Industry
By Jeff Vedders Plastics, or miscellaneous plastics products as it’s formally known, is one of our most requested industry targets. No wonder. According to a recent study by The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI), in terms of shipments, miscellaneous...
Website of the Month: EDPro News
By Leigh Howe Many of you know the Morrison brothers, Ed & Thompson. And if you haven’t taken a look at their EDPro.net, you should. Specifically, take a look at the EDPro Weblog they have put together. It is an up-to-date collection of news articles relevant...
What is a Neutrality Agreement and Why Should I Care?
By Dean Whittaker Membership in labor unions has long been on the decline. Recently, however, the United Auto Workers union has implemented a unique effort to significantly expand their membership. The process consists of a directive from the Big Three auto companies...
SIC to NAICS
By Jeff Vedders Currently, one of the biggest challenges in researching industries is the recent conversion from Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes to North American Industry Classification (NAICS) codes. There are many differences between the new NAICS...
Schedule a Consultation
Get In Touch
The Whittaker Report
Sign up to receive helpful tools and insightful posts.
Phone
616.403.5076
Address
156 West 11th Street
Suite 107
Holland, MI 49423
Latest
How Do We Sustain? We Renew, Recycle and Rebuild
By Sambridhi Shrestha “The future is green energy, sustainability, renewable energy.”- Arnold Schwarzenegger There are two possibilities that can be predicted which is indicated by the availability of the resources. One is that the world will become a better place to...
The Future of Work
By Dean Whittaker Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion on the Future of Work with John Karras, Senior Consultant at TIP Strategies, which took place at the International Economic Development Council Future Forum held in Buffalo, New...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.