Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Concern, Gratitude, and Joy
Spring's sprung here in Holland MI. It is a delight to see the tulips blooming, the green leaves emerging on the trees, and the brown grass turn green again as I experience the last vestiges of winter followed by a cool spring. The Tulip Festival here is spectacular...
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
Measuring Sustainability
By Katie Terpstra Sustainable development is a strategy by which communities seek economic development approaches that also benefit the local environment and quality of life. It has become an important guide to many communities that have discovered that traditional...
Creativity and Economic Development
By Dean Whittaker Economic development professionals are well aware of how valuable creativity and innovation are to corporations and communities. In the global economy, a company’s commitment to innovation gives it the competitive edge, and the creative workers such...
Ideas to Keep Your Marketing Efforts on Track…
by Cory Koch Separate suspects from prospects. Too many advertising dollars and too much time are spent on people who are not responding to your marketing efforts. Unless your lead-generation advertising weeds these people out, it's not working effectively. The media...
Affordable Housing
by Tammy Hart According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there is an ever-increasing demand and need for affordable housing. This is due in part to the overall rise in cost of housing and rentals being higher than the rise in incomes....
Featured Websites: EDGAR & Digital Librarian
By Jeff Vedders I thought this month I’d pass on a couple of web sites of interest: º Many of you may already be familiar with the SEC’s EDGAR database. EDGAR (which stands for the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system) “performs automated...
Economic Development & Local Real Estate Partnerships
by Pete Julius Why develop them, what are the obstacles and how do you create them? Recently, we were hired by two separate economic development organizations to present on how to build partnerships between economic developers and local real estate brokers. It has...
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Latest
The Economic Development Shift
By Dean Whittaker A shift is underway in the mission of economic development organizations. Growth has always been the mantra, but now it is becoming about sustainability. Loss of population is now becoming a major economic issue for many cities, regions, and states....
Chemical Wholesale Industry Trends
By Jami Gibson The U.S. chemical wholesale industry, with annual revenues of approximately $220 billion, is projected to grow at a rate of 4% over the next four years. Oil and gas production is also expected to increase, therefore, creating opportunities both upstream...
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