Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Being Diligent About Data
I purchased a new MacBook earlier this year, but was dreading the migration process. I needed to clean up and streamline my old MacBook, but I had grown accustomed to where everything was, and the thought of going through all of my files seemed daunting, which made me...
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
Covid and Its Ripple Effects
Inflation has been in the headlines ever since the rampant spread of Covid. There is no doubt that Covid has caused major havoc as it spread across the world, claiming millions of lives, and leaving some battling long-term health issues. While the Covid waves have...
What’s Going On During February 2022
Whew, we’ve almost arrived at February already! In addition to the month-long celebration of Black History, February also kicks off with the Lunar New Year on the 1st of the month, followed immediately by Groundhog’s Day on February 2nd. Black History Month Celebrated...
A Productive Commute
Over the last several months, I’ve been a caretaker for an ill family member. It brings me joy to assist in my loved one’s time of need, but I’ve had to learn to perform a balancing act with work, life, and the 5+ hour round-trip drive I’ve been making multiple times...
2022: A Look Ahead – Five Trends to Watch
Cup Half Full Wow, here we are at the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022. My cup is more than half full; it overflows. Why would I say that during a resurging pandemic? I say it because we will get through this period together and be on to a better time. No, I am...
Cryptocurrency and Inflation
Why does cryptocurrency matter? It matters because cryptocurrency is a sovereign currency beyond the reach of governments. When governments issue more currency to cover the gap between tax income and spending, it deflates the value of the currency. When currencies...
Web 3.0
Just about the time I get things figured out, they change. This is especially true when it comes to technology. Web 3.0 is a fundamental shift on the Internet. The world wide web will become decentralized and based on blockchain. On Web 1.0, most websites were...
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Latest
AI in Economic Development – Issue 10.0
Insights from the Latest Webcast Welcome back to The Whittaker Report. This month, I had the pleasure of hosting a webcast titled “Leverage Artificial Intelligence in Economic Development”. We dove into the exciting—and sometimes intimidating—world of AI and explored...
Art of Minimalism
The creative, design, and lifestyle philosophy of minimalism places a strong emphasis on elements' simplicity, clarity, and reduction to their most basic form. Although it began as an art movement in the late 1960s, it has since impacted design, music, architecture,...
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