Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Zion National Park
Last month, I wrote about my trip to Badlands National Park. As a continuation of what I’ll call my “National Park Series,”, I want to share some highlights from my time in Zion National Park. Located in southwestern Utah, Zion is one of many national parks within the...
Recent Podcasts
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…
Whittaker Report Podcast Episode 20 - An Interview with Nathan Ohle, President/CEO of the International Economic Development Council
Mar 24, 2023 • 00:30:13
Nathan Ohle has been recently appointed as the President/CEO of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). Under his leadership, several initiatives are underway, including a comprehensive strategic plan that involves a thorough review of all IEDC membership services. Nathan emphasizes the importance of collaboration in economic development as opposed to…
Recent Posts
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...
The Month of July 2021
Periodically, we go through this existential moment when working on the Whittaker Report wondering does anyone read it? So, if you enjoy reading it, please drop us a note. We would love to hear from you. Whew, what a month it has been. After celebrating the Fourth...
Waves of the Pandemic
As we walk in the second year of the global pandemic, the gravity of its ripple effect on the economy and humanity has induced a damage that might take us longer to recover than was expected. While most of the developed nations have somewhat recovered from the...
What is an Artist Incubator?
Seven years ago, I wrote an article for the Whittaker Report which outlined the summer internship goal of discovering a "Holy Grail Algorithm" which would presumably predict the future. While I remain naive regarding the scope of this goal, I acknowledge that perhaps...
When the storm rolls in
I was sitting on my front porch observing the dark clouds roll in as my dog, Ari, played in the yard. Growing up in the Midwest, it’s what we always did – witness the gray-black storm clouds billow across the horizon, watch for lightning in the distance, then count...
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Latest
The Joy of Learning: Using AI as a Teacher
For me, one of my greatest joys is learning, a trait inherited from my grandmother’s boundless curiosity. She instilled in me the habit of questioning why, how, who, what, and when. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered how AI could serve as a teacher. It...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 4.0
Creating and Implementing an Impactful AI Strategy: Steps for Economic Development Leaders Artificial intelligence has become a crucial driver of innovation, competitiveness, and transformation across sectors. As a result, economic development organizations have a...
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