Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Yellowstone National Park
As the final article in my National Park Series, I saved the best for last, or at least my favorite for last. Yellowstone National Park is mostly based in the northwest corner of the state of Wyoming, with small sections in Idaho and Montana. Part of the Rocky...
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
Remote from Where?
By Brittany Ryzenga Just about one year ago, Dean and I had traveled to the International Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. The four-day conference offered distinguished keynote speakers along with numerous breakout...
Ode to May 2020
By Dean Whittaker What an incredible month it's been. Webinars led, webinars attended, and an unplanned surgery. Meanwhile, stay-at-home orders remain for much of Michigan, though we are opening gradually. A webinar I gave for American Electric Power communities...
My Torch Lights
By Sambridhi Shrestha With the increasing cases around the world we are imprisoned in our houses. There are many things to be grateful about but there are many things that are disturbing and establish a big question mark on our future. The future looks blurry and the...
Adaptability- the Ability to React Well to Change (and a lot of it)
By Brittany Ryzenga I recently listened to an insightful TedTalk podcast by venture investor Natalie Fratto titled, “Three Ways to Measure your Adaptability—and How to Improve it.” When Fratto is determining which start-up founder to support, she doesn’t look...
“The Spice of Life”….
By Valorie Oonk They say “Variety is the Spice of Life”… I have always liked this idiom. It seems to suit me quite well. But have you ever wondered who said that or what its origin was? I have to admit, I have not until writing this article. The research side of me...
Is the Worst Yet to Come?
By Sambridhi Shrestha Three months back nobody would've thought that this global pandemic would last this long. It is hard to digest that it may extend for a few more months or that we are in need of a vaccine to cure this virus which has pulled down the almighty...
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Latest
Sick Shaming in the Workplace
Wintertime is peak cold and flu season among other highly contagious viruses such as Covid and RSV. While a majority of people deal with the mild but annoying symptoms for several days, others are at risk for serious illness. This raises the question, “Is it...
Mistakes & Learning
Have you ever made a mistake? What did you learn? Yes, making mistakes is one way to learn. I am in the process of learning Spanish using the Duolingo application. This gamified app makes learning a language fun and addictive by using the same tools as video games to...
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