Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
When the storm rolls in
I was sitting on my front porch observing the dark clouds roll in as my dog, Ari, played in the yard. Growing up in the Midwest, it’s what we always did – witness the gray-black storm clouds billow across the horizon, watch for lightning in the distance, then count...
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
Featured Website: MckinseyQuarterly.com
By Jeff Vedders An interesting web site we came across recently was The McKinsey Quarterly at www.mckinseyquartlerly.com. The McKinsey Quarterly is an on-line journal with articles on business strategy, published by McKinsey & Company, a management consulting...
WA's Habitat Experience
by Jami Miedema On June 29, my coworkers and I had the privilege to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and help construct a home for a local Holland family. The single mother and her three teenage children were living in a house that could not accommodate the family...
Measuring Innovative Companies
By Leigh Howe How do you identify innovative companies? Using R&D intensity, patent information, and other financial information can help you pinpoint companies that are not only innovative but also successful. R&D intensity. R&D spending as a percentage...
Cool Economic Development
by Joel Burgess Tucked away on the last page of the Financial Times is an interesting article by Tyler Brule, entitled "Second Homes are Cool - Why Don't Governments Have Them?" The article argues that countries should build strong secondary capital cities to increase...
Best Places? Not so Fast!
by Dennis Burnside "When it comes to a place to live and raise a family, most Americans want two things: the opportunity for themselves and their children to prosper, and a quality of life that lets them enjoy the fruits of their labor." How can anyone argue with that...
i-OP: An Innovative Approach to Measuring Your Community
By Mark James & Pete Julius A common problem pesters many economic development organizations dedicated to a business retention strategy: understanding the needs and values of their own communities. Gathering information from hundreds of local businesses or...
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Latest
Search Engine Optimization as a Business Development Strategy
By Sindhu Bhattarai A creative website with lots of information, images, and links is only successful if the target audience visits the site. Search Engine Optimization aids to gain the attention websites need to be competitive in the digital age. Search engine...
Who Owns The Future?
By Dean Whittaker Beyond our time, what is the most value thing we possess? Some would say it is our data - the bits and bytes we leave behind as we live our lives that tell the world who we are and what we want. Most of us give away our data for free in exchange for...
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