Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
This Planet Deserves Better
There is no doubt that pollution is a key triggering factor for climate change. We, in the past decade, have seen a change in climate and the destruction we have created in the environment. Global warming, a major cause behind the climate crisis faced by the world...
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
The Chinese Twist
by Megan Jewell We have all heard about companies taking their plants and moving to lower-cost areas, especially China. We grumble about the effects on our communities and employment rates, and marvel at China 's miraculous economic growth. However, we should twist...
Plastic Elasticity
By Pete Julius For many years, the plastics industry has shown up near the top of just about every new and expanded analysis that we conducted. Then the industry seemed to all but disappear. The chart below provides a four-year insight into the number of new and...
Featured Website: Search Engine Watch
By Jeff Vedders Internet search engines aren’t the most exciting topics, are they? But if you’re in the information business (and who isn’t these days?), if you use the Internet for any of your research, or if you rely on the Internet as a marketing tool, you must...
The Future of Small Towns in America
by Dean Whittaker Do small towns have a future? Have they outlived their economic, political or social purpose? How did these communities form and what contributes to their continued existence? These and many other questions come to mind as I ponder the plight of the...
Attracting Corporate Headquarters
By Leigh Howe What features and environmental factors do corporate headquarters consider and need in a business location? To answer this question, we look at the location factors important to any headquarters, and current trends in relocation. Then you can evaluate...
Retaining Motivated Employees
by Tammy Hart As the labor market for top-quality service people continues to increase, managers are making a correlation between loyal satisfied customers and motivated people who deliver the service that keeps them coming back. The key is tapping into exactly what...
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Latest
Best Practices Conference
By Dean Whittaker This month I had the opportunity to participate in the Mid-America Economic Development Council/Indiana Economic Development Association joint Best Practices Conference in Ft. Wayne, IN. It was a great conference, well organized, held at an...
Trends in Commercial Real Estate
By Jami Gibson The drivers affecting the need for commercial real estate are always changing. Especially after the recession, the landscape of the commercial real estate market shifted drastically. How are companies, today, strategizing for their spacing needs to...
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