Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Lessons Learned from Valparaiso University’s Economic Development Pilot Project
At Whittaker Associates, Inc., we are wrapping up an engaging nine-month pilot project in collaboration with Valparaiso University, supported by a National Science Foundation grant. The goal was straightforward yet ambitious: demonstrate how academic resources and...
Recent Podcasts
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 30 - An Interview with Ashely & Eric Canade 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.
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 21 - An Interview with Alia Abbas, Founder and President of Alia Consulting
May 20, 2023 • 01:13:15
In Episode 21, Alia Abbas shares with us her experience as a first-time attendee at the Select USA Conference, an investment summit in Washington DC annually. It provides an opportunity for economic development organization to meet with potential international investors considering establishing business operations in the United States. Alia Abbas…
Recent Posts
Fast Fashion and Its Impact
A business strategy for the fashion industry known as "fast fashion" involves the quick and low-cost production of new collections of apparel and accessories in order to keep up with the newest trends. This model stands out for its emphasis on speed, low costs, and...
What’s New in Foodtech?
The foodtech industry is a rising star that attracts billions of dollars in venture capital each year. Despite a recent slowdown in investment, the industry is rapidly changing with emerging sub-sectors that are furthering the relationship between food and...
Deglobalization’s Impact on Economic Development
Globalization is an economic term. It refers primarily to the free flow of trade and the easy movement of people, goods, and services among countries. During the last 50 years we have outsourced, offshored, and built complex supply chains, along with networks of...
Plastics and Humans
For years we have known the hazardous conditions caused by plastic pollution in the oceans and on land. Time and again, our attention has been drawn towards the consequences of human action. There have been huge efforts to clean plastics from our oceans, but there is...
Industry Challenges for Automotive Dealers
My three-year car lease is coming due this month, so I’ve been weighing my options of buying out the lease or turning in my vehicle and leasing a newer model. I have been a loyal customer to a particular manufacturer for the past 12 years, so there was no question...
Takeaways from the IAMC Forum
This month, I attended the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) 2022 Fall Forum. The welcome reception and dinner were held at the Henry Ford Museum, hosted by the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) and several other sponsors. Maureen Krauss, President/CEO of...
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Latest
Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks
Did you know that Utah is home to five National Parks? Only California and Alaska contain more national parks; however, the close proximity of the parks in Utah makes it easy to visit several during the same trip. Last month, I wrote about my time at Zion National...
Book & YouTube Recommendations
Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI, by Yuval Noah Harari This book explores the powerful role that information has played throughout human history and its impact on society and politics. Harari takes readers from the earliest human...
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