Whittaker Report
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What a Little Blue-and-Yellow House Taught Me About Economic Development
Each month I try to share something I learned. This month the lesson did not come from a data set or a client engagement. It came from a small wooden house full of children's books. Since 2018, Holland's two Rotary clubs have partnered with Herrick District Library on...
Recent Podcasts
Episode 32 An Interview with Ron Kitchens - Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc.
Mar 25, 2026 • 00:30:43
In this episode, you will hear from Ron Kitchens, Managing Partner of Greater St. Louis, Inc. You will learn how Ron began his 30-year career in economic development as an entrepreneur with a passion for creating jobs, a passion that became a lifelong commitment to helping communities grow and prosper.…
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…
Recent Posts
AI in Economic Development – Issue 30.0
Charity Fund Raising Most of the time I write in this space about putting artificial intelligence to work in economic development, targeting industries, building lead lists, and sharpening our research. But the same tools that help us serve our clients can serve our...
Theme of the Month: Play
It’s finally summertime! With long days and balmy nights, there’s no better time to get outside and enjoy all the season has to offer. As adults, it’s easy to convince ourselves that play is something we outgrow. We fill our calendars with work, errands, appointments,...
On Becoming a Published Author
One of the projects I set for myself this month was to learn how to publish a book on Amazon. Like most of us when we want to learn something new, I did what comes naturally, I dove into a series of YouTube videos on the subject. I also had the good fortune of talking...
AI in Economic Development – Issue 29.0
AI for Seniors: An Overlooked Opportunity Worth a Closer Look Economic developers spend a lot of time thinking about workforce development, business attraction, and community infrastructure. Here is a population that rarely makes it onto those agendas, even though the...
Theme of the Month: Creativity
When I was choosing a theme to focus on for this month’s newsletter, I had a bit of writer’s block that had me overthinking the need to get my creative juices flowing. For inspiration, I resorted to what I always do…research. I tend to use left-brain activities to...
The Last Chapter
During a recent meditation session on Headspace, I heard something that has stayed with me: a wise person keeps death nearby — not as a morbid fixation, but as a reminder of how thin the thread that tethers us to this place and this moment. That idea has taken on new...
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Latest
AI in Economic Development – Issue 33.0
Don't Overthink It: Building Your First AI Agent in Claude Cowork This month Andy Bass of InnovateAI led a hands-on lunch and learn on building AI agents in the SURGE Training Room at The Next Center in Holland. It drew such interest that he gave it twice, on...
Best of Jackson, Wyoming
Every September my husband and I take a few weeks to travel out West. We’ve extensively traveled the country, but we keep coming back to the one state we love most: Wyoming, and in particular, the town of Jackson and the greater Jackson Hole valley area. Not only does...
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