Whittaker Report
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The Show Must Go On
Music is something that has always been a big part of my life. I played the piano and clarinet growing up, sang in the church and school choirs, and had an extensive collection of tapes and CDs, and now digital music. As nice as it is to listen to studio albums when...
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
Wi-Fi – Where are You?
By Jeff Vedders It seems like all we hear about these days is wireless. It’s almost taken on the degree of magnitude and hype as the terms Internet and e-Business did a few years ago. Everything you read says that wireless technology is going to change how we do...
Is eBusiness Starting to Roar Again?
By Leigh Howe Around 1996, we all watched as Internet companies and “dot-coms” began to shake things up. Amazon changed the game of selling books and music, while Expedia and a few others took out the travel agents. Online players were basically selling...
The Great China Debate
By Pete Julius China’s economy has been growing at unprecedented rates over the past few years. A lot of people are speculating that this insurmountable growth trend is about to burst. The United States grew very rapidly during the mid- to late-1990’s on the...
India Part III
By Dean Whittaker As my memory of my trip to India begins to fade, I was reminded of the essence of the experience when I read the report by Rand titled “Labor and Population” (www.rand.org), in which the authors describe the forces that will shape work in the United...
Edutainment
By Leigh Howe The phrase “edutainment,” meaning educational entertainment, has been around since the early 90’s. Today, with advanced technology and realistic computer games, the phrase is picking up steam. Increasing numbers of cable television stations are also...
U.S. Industry Output & Employment Projections Updated
By Jeff Vedders In the November 2003 issue of our newsletter, I provided a link to an article published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Monthly Labor Review that outlined U.S. industry output and employment projections to 2010. In February of this year, the...
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Latest
Bitcoin: Threat or Opportunity?
By Sambridhi Shrestha The escalating value of bitcoin has brought a revolution in the US market. All the huge investors and traders are investing in bitcoin and even common people are headed towards cryptocurrency investments. Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual...
Stress, Anxiety, and Meditation
By Dean Whittaker My lesson this month was on the role of stress, anxiety, and mediation in my life. A day this past month, I had scheduled three major meeting events. The first was a teleconference presentation to the board of directors of an economic development...
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