Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
The Unethical Practices of 3 Market Giants
Over the years we have heard about market giants practicing unethical business operations. Many accusations have regarded labor exploitation, data selling, and other questionable activities. Some accusations have been proven guilty, and some are still in the...
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
Keep on Rolling: Distribution Industry Overview & Current Trends
By Leigh Howe The distribution industry is a service industry that transports raw materials, product components and finished goods through the supply chain by truck, rail, air or water. The distribution industry continues to roll with activity. According to Conway...
Acceptance
By Dean Whittaker In his book The Rise of the Creative Class, Dr. Richard Florida states that the three essential ingredients to attracting the creative class to your community are technology, talent and tolerance. Dr. Florida feels that the economy’s need for this...
Viruses and Worms
By Jeff Vedders With the outbreak of the MS Blaster and Sobig worms last month, we thought it might be a good time for reminders and advice on how to prevent and treat computer virus infestations. The best way to keep viruses off of your computer is to install...
Retail Tenant Directory
By Pete Julius Are you targeting retail? Do you know which retailers are looking to expand in your area? Do you know the types of retail you should focus on? Do you know which retailers require a population density of at least 40,000 people or a minimum traffic count...
Segway – Getting from Here to There
By Dean Whittaker Those of you who know me know of my passion for technology. As a missionary for the application of technology to economic development and commercial/industry real estate, I have written and taught on this subject for many years. Following my recent...
What are the Best Marketing Practices in Economic Development
By Pete Julius Didn’t we hire you to bring jobs into our community? How much new capital investment has been made since you have been with this organization? What are you doing to proactively market our community? How are our competing communities doing? Do these...
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Latest
Core Values as a Competitive Advantage
By Jami Gibson Why do we do what we do? How do our core values influence the way we do business? Successful companies almost always know the answers to these questions. When we base our products and services on our company’s values, we gain a competitive advantage...
The Retail Debacle: Will There be a Resurgence?
By Ayush Pant Two-thousand-eighteen is the year where Brooks Brothers, the first retail store of America will celebrate its 200th anniversary. Early nineteenth century developed and commercialized the concept of retail stores, and since then market dominance had been...
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