Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Drama – What Is It and Why You Should Care!
A friend reminded me this month of the drama we’re all experiencing across the country. That got me thinking, and instead of reaching for my trusty Webster’s Dictionary, I turned to ChatGPT for a definition. Here’s what it came back with: “In the world, drama can take...
Recent Podcasts
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 30 - An Interview with Ashely & Eric Canade 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.
The Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 21 - An Interview with Alia Abbas, Founder and President of Alia Consulting
May 20, 2023 • 01:13:15
In Episode 21, Alia Abbas shares with us her experience as a first-time attendee at the Select USA Conference, an investment summit in Washington DC annually. It provides an opportunity for economic development organization to meet with potential international investors considering establishing business operations in the United States. Alia Abbas…
Recent Posts
Organizations Also Need to Plan for the Unplanned
Last month, Jami Gibson had an excellent article on how emergency preparedness is critical for individuals and families. It got me thinking about how important emergency preparedness is for economic development organizations (EDO’s). Over the past 15 years, Iowa has...
Goal Setting Using the “Better-than-Nothing” Approach
A couple months ago, I set a lofty goal for myself to be completed by April 1st of this year. Needless to say, that date came and went with me only slightly advancing beyond the starting point. I’ve been in that position many times, and as the date approaches, I...
Agile
This month I began learning more about Agile, which is the idea of frequent iterations and continually improving a process by quick turnaround times. As I was working my way through a definition of Agile, I suddenly realized that that is exactly what Ed Morrison has...
Planning for the Unplanned
For over a month, we’ve been watching atrocities unfold in Ukraine. As millions of people fled their homes and country, they had little time or space to grab much more than a small bag of essentials. While it may be unlikely that we ever see that kind of humanitarian...
A.G.E.
While sitting in the waiting room at the orthopedic surgeon, I had a conversation with an older gentleman who said he was suffering from an illness called A.G.E., and I was thinking I can relate to that! I was waiting for an appointment to discuss my joint replacement...
What is Truth?
Podcasts, for me, are a great way to learn. One of my favorites is called Philosophize This, hosted by Steven West. In his podcast, West tells us the story of thinkers who have tried to make sense out of this crazy world. In a recent episode, he tells us of Karl...
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Latest
Visting Badlands National Park
If you ever want to feel like you’re on another planet without leaving Earth, visit Badlands National Park. Nestled in southwestern South Dakota, its sprawling prairies, geologic formations, and wildlife are a sight to behold. While visiting the park, you’ll most...
Your Time
When someone asks for a moment of your time, they are asking for the most precious thing you have. Time is an irreplaceable asset, and once spent, it can never be reclaimed. What if our lifespan was eight days instead of eighty years? What value would we place on each...
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