Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
The Beauty of the West
During September, I spent the better part of the month traveling out West both for work and for pleasure. It was my first time leaving Michigan since the pandemic started and was a much needed change of scenery. Living nearly my entire life on or near Lake Michigan, I...
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
Best Marketing Practices – Preliminary Survey & Leadership Presentation
By Pete Julius In conjunction with IEDC, on January 8, 2003 we sent out a preliminary survey for a project that we are jointly working on to identify the best marketing practices within economic development. A few weeks ago at the IEDC Leadership Conference in St....
The Use of Technology in Economic Development
By Dean Whittaker As an “early adopter” of new technology I am addicted to the latest gadget or gizmo that promises to make me more productive or efficient or just plain “cool”. When the piles of “techno-trash” (last year’s model, etc.) begin to pile up around my den...
March Madness Special: Economic Development and Sports
By Leigh Howe Being an Indiana girl raised on the basketball court, this time of year tends to hold a special excitement for me. As the NCAA tournament is kicking off, I’m curious about the connection and impact that sports (recreational, collegiate, and...
Social Software and Mobile Technology
By Jeff Vedders File this under the heading ‘what will they think of next?’ I subscribe to MIT’s Technology Review email newsletter (I described MIT’s Technology Review web site – www.technologyreview.com – in our June 2003 newsletter. The web site is worth a look...
McKinsey’s Global Survey of Business Executives
By Pete Julius The McKinsey Quarterly just completed a global survey of business executives, which focused on five issues: global economy confidence, pricing, workforce, debate over China and India, and IT spending. Fifty-five hundred corporate-level executives from...
The Outsourcing Rebound
By Leigh Howe I think a story is published every day about thousands of jobs being outsourced to India, China, or Taiwan. The writer typically laments that foreign companies continue to take jobs away from Americans. These jobs include call center positions as well...
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Latest
Help Wanted: People – Talent Attraction and Retention
By Dean Whittaker Traditionally, economic development has been about jobs and investment through the expansion of existing firms and the attraction of new ones. The task is now expanding to include recruiting people to fill those jobs. Most workforce development...
Getting the Most From Your Meetings
By Jami Gibson How can one make meetings effective and enjoyable? Too often, meetings produce a feeling of dread whether it’s due to feeling unprepared or worrying that it will drag on, putting a time crunch on the work day. To someone who would rather be “doing” than...
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