Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Creating Rapport While Wearing a Mask
This week brings the much-anticipated annual meeting of my professional association, MEDA (Michigan Economic Developers Association). I’m looking forward to seeing friends from around the state for the first time in well over a year, and there will be several new...
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
Whittaker Associates Announcements
New Website: We are pleased to announce that we have just launched our brand new web site. Our new web site contains a new design, easier usability, better expalantions of our services, and updated content. The web site redesign was completed by Muller Design...
Innovation Economy
by Pete Julius Innovation is accelerating rapidly in some industries, while lagging in others. With the rush to find a cure for AIDS and fight cancer, heart disease and other life-threatening diseases, the health care industry is booming with innovation....
Reinventing Rural America
by Dean Whittaker While visiting a potential client this week, I had a chance to see and feel the effect the restructuring of our economy is having on small-town, rural America. When asked, community leaders had difficulty describing what was unique about their town....
Defense Trends
by Jeff Vedders Continuing from the commercial aerospace trends I shared last month, this month I will focus on trends within the defense and space industry. Defense Industry. As the U.S. is no longer in a cold war with the Soviet Union, there is no longer a need for...
Automating Research
By Leigh Howe Data and information are plentiful these days. We’ve been searching for ways to automate data and information collection so that we can spend more time determining what the information means. Many news sources and databases have alerts and web crawlers...
Does diversity matter?
By Dean Whittaker In commerce, diversity of color, race, nationality and sexual orientation may not matter all that much. What does matter is diversity of thought, experience and ideas, all of which contribute to a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. ...
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Latest
The Rise of Concierge Medicine
By Jami Gibson The healthcare industry has changed immensely over the past decade. The use of electronic record-keeping, skyrocketing insurance costs, and technological and pharmaceutical innovations have changed the way we experience medical care. One particular area...
All About Creating Magic
By Sambridhi Shrestha “People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories and magic.” – Seth Godin As the phase speaks for itself, in today’s generation people not only buy the products and services but also seek for good relations with the brand. There...
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