Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
The Month of July 2021
Periodically, we go through this existential moment when working on the Whittaker Report wondering does anyone read it? So, if you enjoy reading it, please drop us a note. We would love to hear from you. Whew, what a month it has been. After celebrating the Fourth...
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
100 Fastest Growing Tech Companies
By Pete Julius Business 2.0 magazine revealed their list of the 100 fastest growing technology-related companies. Interestingly enough, nearly 25% of the companies on the list are located in the Midwest. The Midwest has traditionally been known as a...
Utilizing Your Resources
by Megan Jewell Having recently graduated from college, I am familiar with the post-college frantic job hunt combined with being thrust into the "reality of life" that one seems protected from at college. That is why I was intrigued by the headline on the Business...
Tips & Tricks
By Jeff Vedders Many of us are faced with the challenge of managing our multiple communication channels, especially email. Here are some tips we've learned about using email that may be helpful to you. 1. Use the built in rules within software such as Outlook to...
David-Sized Computers for Goliath-Sized Hands
by Rebecca Rooy My lug of a desktop computer is currently collecting dust in the basement. I have yet to muster the motivation to painfully haul it upstairs to at least extract the once-important documents that reside there. However, since I don't need it for my...
Mart My Words: The New Wal-Bank is Coming!
by Jami Miedema Wal-Mart certainly is a retail giant, offering products from apparel and appliances to electronics and groceries, just to name a few. With approximately $315.7 billion in sales in 2006 and over 6000 stores worldwide, it's hard to think of an area that...
Why is Biotechnology a Hot Topic?
By Katie Terpstra The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) defines biotechnology as "the use of the cellular and molecular processes to solve problems or make products." Applications of biotechnology include healthcare, agriculture, food processing, industrial...
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Latest
The Learning Zone – Overcoming Stagnation
By Jami Gibson As someone who tries to continually improve, personally and professionally, in the things that matter to me, I recently was feeling discouraged when I felt stagnation in an particular area of my life. You’ve probably felt this way before. The wheels are...
How to Quickly Find and Attract Talent
By Dean Whittaker According to a national site selection firm, available labor is the #1 site selection factor in their decision making process. In order to attract and retain businesses, communities will need to demonstrate they either have the needed labor or have a...
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