Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Gratitude – Thank You
Thanksgiving is a time of year that reminds me to take a moment to consider and be grateful for all that I have been given. With all that has been happening in the world over the last nearly two years, it seems especially important to find gratitude in daily life....
Recent Podcasts
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 12 An Interview with Maureen Donohue Krause, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership
Nov 23, 2021 • 00:24:20
In the episode, Maureen shares with us her perspective on the economic development profession having served in leadership roles at local, regional, and state positions. She assumed her current position as President and CEO of the Detriot Regional Partnership in July of 2020. She describes leading her team that is…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 11 An Interview with Jon Roberts, Managing Director TIP Strategies, Inc.
Sep 9, 2021 • 00:56:26
Jon Roberts, Principal and Managing Partner at TIP Strategies, Inc. share with us his thoughts regarding remote work and its long-term impact on the residential, commercial, and industrial real estate market. In the interview, Jon also discusses the importance to economic development of resilience in view of climate change.
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 10 - An Interview with Greg Wathen, CO-CEO Evansville Regional Economic Partnership
Aug 27, 2021 • 00:29:50
Greg Wathen, CO-CEO, Evansville Economic Regional Partnership shares with us his experience as their region transitions from multiple organizations engaged in different aspects of economic development to one organization focused on a common mission, vision, and purpose. In the interview, Greg explains the value of their regional approach to economic…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 9 - An Interview with Judie Scalise: Strategic Economic and Real Estate Development
Jul 5, 2021 • 00:31:08
Judie Scalise, Founder, and Principal of ESI Corporation share with us trends taking place in economic and real estate development in the pre-planning phase and the economic impact and feasibility analysis. Judie shares with us the lessons learned in her 30 years of working with a broad base of clients…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 8 - An Interview with Aaron Brossoit: Storytelling with Virtual Realty
May 28, 2021 • 00:26:19
Aaron Brossoit is CEO and a founder at Golden Shovel Agency, a firm specializing in communications for economic development. He has led the creation of communication tools and services currently supporting over 200 economic development organizations across North America. In this episode, Aaron describes the current state of the application…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 7 - An Interview with Tim Cowden: Regional Economic Development
May 26, 2021 • 00:26:14
Tim Cowden, President, and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council share with us how he has successfully created a collaborative regional organization that encompasses 18 counties in two states. In addition to a strong team, and engage investors, the KCADC is intentional in its collaboration efforts. This intentionality…
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 6 - An Interview with Bethany Miller: The Benefits of Inclusion
Apr 29, 2021 • 00:22:14
In this episode, we will hear from Bethany Miller, Vice President of Business Development at the Greater Houston Partnership about her presentation at the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit on the Benefits and Opportunities that being an inclusive community provide. She describes the efforts at the Houston Partnership to…
The Whittaker Report Podcast - Episode 5 An Interview with Gene DePrez: Global Location Strategy
Mar 12, 2021 • 00:29:09
During this interview, Gene DePrez, Managing Partner of Global Innovation Partners takes us along on the 35-year career path that led him to take a unique approach to global corporate location strategy. In it, he begins by understanding the corporate culture and the overall corporate business strategy. Once he understands…
The Whittaker Report Episode 4 - An Interview with Dusty Duistermars: The Future of the Intelligent Workplace
Mar 5, 2021 • 00:29:10
The intelligent workplace is the future of the corporate real estate. Listen as Dusty Dusitermars describes how an intelligent workplace will help lower costs and increase space utilization.
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 3 - An Interview with Rick Weddle: Site Selection Guild Survey
Feb 12, 2021 • 00:25:12
In this third Episode of the Whittaker Report, we hear from Rick Weddle, President and CEO of the Site Selectors Guild, and a thought leader in economic development. He shares with us the key results of the 2021 Survey of the Site Selection Guild’s membership including the member’s view of…
Recent Posts
The Unethical Practices of 3 Market Giants
Over the years we have heard about market giants practicing unethical business operations. Many accusations have regarded labor exploitation, data selling, and other questionable activities. Some accusations have been proven guilty, and some are still in the...
The Beauty of the West
During September, I spent the better part of the month traveling out West both for work and for pleasure. It was my first time leaving Michigan since the pandemic started and was a much needed change of scenery. Living nearly my entire life on or near Lake Michigan, I...
Taking Risks
Risk-taking is something I have always done. It must be in my genes…flying, sailing, and racing all of which require a certain risk-taking profile. However, today I am more concerned than usual about a risk I am about to take. Although vaccinated six months ago, I...
Creating Rapport While Wearing a Mask
This week brings the much-anticipated annual meeting of my professional association, MEDA (Michigan Economic Developers Association). I’m looking forward to seeing friends from around the state for the first time in well over a year, and there will be several new...
Climate Crisis Control: Why is it Important to Start Now?
While the past 18 months have been mostly about the pandemic and its mounting consequences, we’ve also been presented with significantly disturbing climate crises. This might just be the beginning of a larger climate catastrophe which awaits. The destruction we’ve...
The Show Must Go On
Music is something that has always been a big part of my life. I played the piano and clarinet growing up, sang in the church and school choirs, and had an extensive collection of tapes and CDs, and now digital music. As nice as it is to listen to studio albums when...
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Latest
Gratitude – Thank You
Thanksgiving is a time of year that reminds me to take a moment to consider and be grateful for all that I have been given. With all that has been happening in the world over the last nearly two years, it seems especially important to find gratitude in daily life....
On the Move
When was the last time you moved your residence? After 27 years in the same house, my wife and I are moving to a condo. Moving from 2,200 sq. ft. to 1,100 sq. ft. does present some logistical challenges in terms of “downsizing” to fit the new space. Here are a few...
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