Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Making Your Website Accessible
According to the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Accessibility Initiative (W3C WAI), web accessibility means that “websites, tools, and technologies are designed and developed so that people with disabilities can…perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and...
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
Me and the Music Man
By Dean Whittaker The play the Music Man that I saw at the Goodman Theater recently reminded me of economic development. The play was written in 1957 and is about the misadventures of a traveling salesman posing as Professor Harold Hill, a music instructor, who...
What Will Future Jobs Look Like?
By Brittany Gebben I recently heard a TedTalk podcast by economist Andrew McAfee that raised an interesting question, “What Will Future Jobs Look Like?” (click here for TedTalk). McAfee talks about the impact of technology and machines now being capable of doing...
Pledge for Privacy
By Sambridhi Sherestha I am in my early twenties, graduated recently and I am looking to further studies in the United States. My days go by surfing the internet about the MBA requirements and opportunities. Just a few weeks back I was talking to a friend of mine over...
Are All Internships Worth It?
By Ayush Dev Pant Internships are regarded as the bridge between the academic and the corporate world. Many companies throughout the world open up internship opportunities for the young workforce in the market. Interns tend to be dedicated towards their work as they...
The Game of Baseball
By Joe Sigler Ever since I can remember, baseball was my favorite sport to play. I recall receiving a glove for Christmas when I was four and asking my dad if we could go out into the snow and play catch. Unfortunately, he made me wait for spring. But every spring and...
Gift of Friendship
By Dean Whittaker If we live long enough, we learn things. More and more I have come to appreciate how my relationships with my friends propel me through life. Whether they be personal, professional or passing, all of these humans are important to me. Among other...
Schedule a Consultation
Get In Touch
The Whittaker Report
Sign up to receive helpful tools and insightful posts.
Phone
616.403.5076
Address
156 West 11th Street
Suite 107
Holland, MI 49423
Latest
EDO Solutions to Grow Their Labor Pool
Last month, I wrote about the top ten site selection priorities, of which, labor costs were (not surprisingly) ranked at #1. Workforce costs and availability are at the forefront of every decision-maker’s mind when considering the future of their businesses,...
Tuition-Free College Degree at Hope College
This month, I had the opportunity to attend the Catalyst Summit at Hope College in Holland, MI. The purpose of the summit was to discuss access to higher education, with Hope offering free tuition to students through an innovative program. Students who participate...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.