Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
“That” Friend
The older I get, I realize it’s more difficult to find friends with which to develop meaningful relationships. Growing up, it was easy to meet new people when every day was a new experience. Our friend groups consisted of other neighbor kids, children of our parent’s...
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
Capacity Utilization
By Dean Whittaker Capacity utilization is one of the key measures for determining the need for companies to add new capacity. One of the more useful websites for economic development is www.economy.com. This site offers an abundance of economic indictors and reports...
Rising Popularity of Nascar
by Tammy Hart Being the daughter of a race car driver, I take an extreme interest in the evolution of stock-car racing (NASCAR). NASCAR was first organized in the late 1940's in Florida on a beach/road course by Bill France, Sr., in an effort to grow stock car racing...
Featured Website: Business.com
By Jeff Vedders We’d like to introduce you to Business.com, Inc. (www.business.com). Business.com is a web-based directory of businesses organized by industry. This is a good web site to visit when looking for companies within a particular industry. For example, by...
Labor and Site Selection Decisions: How Important Can They Be?
by Cory Koch Labor Factors Influence Decisions Labor has worked its way to the top of the priority list when it comes to selecting a new warehouse site. Over the past few years, IKEA, Sears and Target have purchased or leased distribution centers where the local work...
Grid Computing
By Leigh Howe Internet – the next generation. When you here the word “grid”, you immediately think of the grid of electrical power. Take the same concept to the computer and the Internet, and you come up with “grid computing”. Grid computing is a network of linked...
China – Threat or Opportunity
by Dean Whittaker In his 2005 book, China, Inc. , Ted C. Fishman offers an in-depth look at the economic changes taking place in China along with the implication of these changes for much of the rest of the world. The words "Made in China" are so common today that we...
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Latest
Enhancing Sustainable Livelihood in Nepal
By Saurav Rajbhandari Livelihood enhancement and diversification has been recognized, by conservationists and development practitioners alike, as a mechanism to promote livelihood development and encourage people to move away from the harmful exploitation and...
Trends in Robotics and Automation
By Sindhu Bhattarai The United States is leading the world in robotics investment, totalling $732 billion – nearly double the economy of Switzerland, according to recent research by Centre for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) and Redwood Software. The size of the...
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