Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Traveling while waiting on the world to change
I recently took two weekend trips for the first time in almost a year and a half. The first trip was to what we Michiganders refer to as “up north.” The second one was to Chicago. Since I have not traveled or done much of anything for so long, I have to say it made me...
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
Rethinking Your Marketing Strategy
by Dennis Burnside Before I joined Whittaker Associates, I spent over 25 years in the commercial real estate industry. During that time I was lucky enough to represent some of the most sophisticated and successful real estate investors and developers in the country....
The is a Light at the End of the Tunnel
By Pete Julius The events of September 11th produced a dense black cloud over the economy. No one had any idea what the economy was going to do. Only the days ahead would tell. As the days passed by, consumer spending began to rise steadily and there was a...
Fuel Cell Technology – an emerging industry or the same old story?
By Leigh Howe Fuel cells are not a new idea. They were first invented in 1839 by Welsh chemist William Grove. The process, simply stated, is converting hydrogen and water into electricity. The discovery languished for more than 100 years before the U.S. space...
Are You Supporting Business Growth?
by Jim Edmonson We all get pretty busy answering phone calls, sitting in meetings and returning those endless emails. As a result, we might lose track of our business growth programs. Here is a reminder of what should be going on when you're busy working. Support...
Lead Management
by Cory Koch At one time, "lead management" consisted of responding to a customer who raised a hand and said, "Yes, tell me more." Now, lead management is recognized as one of the most critical functions to impact sales success, and it has expanded and become more...
Economic Clusters: a new way of understanding our local economy
By Dean Whittaker The concept of economic clusters has been around for several years. Now, with the advent of the Internet and Harvard University’s Institute for Competitiveness and Strategy Economic Cluster analysis has taken it to a new level with their Cluster...
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Latest
The Growing Sensor Industry
By Sindhu Bhattarai Previously, I wrote about how the automation industry is booming with every passing day. Robots, automated vehicles, automated machines and devices are taking over workplaces and factories. With the growing automation industry, the sensor industry...
Nepali Politics: Then & Now
By Saurav Rajbhandari The Maoist party of Nepal launched the decade-long civil war in 1996 which took the lives of almost 17,000 people and displaced 100,000 people from their homes. It ultimately abolished the 240-years-long monarchy in 2006 after a peace agreement...
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