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AI in Economic Development – Issue 7.0
AI as a Teacher One way I have found to use AI as a teacher is using a Prompt that gives AI a role to play and then make a request of what I want to learn by asking for the “first principles” of a particular domain of knowledge. For example, I am interested in...
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
A Month in Review
By Joe Sigler I first met Dean Whittaker two summers ago at a local café where I work and he frequents. During the slow portions of my shift, we would get to talking about our interests, and surprisingly, we had a lot in common. He would update me on what was going on...
Why I Chose a Career in Data Analytics
By Yang Fu I was born in China and my family has passed down the tradition of practicing medicine for generations. I received my Bachelors degree in China from Xiangya School of Medicine which has a long-standing reputation for medical education in China. My junior...
Making Better Decisions with Al
Created by Laura Leenhouts By Dean Whittaker This month I had the privilege of presenting at the Great Lakes Software Excellence Conference. The theme of the conference this year was "AI." We focused on ways industries are embracing artificial intelligence to...
Positive Psychology
By Brittany Gebben I recently watched a TED talk given by psychologist, Shawn Achor, that was fast-paced and hilariously inviting while covering an interesting concept. Achor focuses on the idea that it is not necessarily the external world that shapes our happiness...
Ocean: Home for Aquatic or Plastic?
By Sambridhi Shrestha Ever since we were kids we have been studying plastic pollution in our textbooks. It’s been quite a while since we heard that the pollution is increasing every year but we have not heard that it is decreasing and this is very sad. We are aware...
Choosing Sustainability in a Developing Nation
By Ayush Dev Pant I am writing this article from Kathmandu Nepal. It’s 23rd of May, 6 P.M and it is very gloomy outside. Half an hour ago there was a bright blue sky. By the time I finish writing this article, I expect a thunderstorm. I’ve lived my entire life in...
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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...
Top Ten Site Selection Factors
Area Development recently published several articles related to the results from their 37th Annual Corporate Survey of corporate executive readers. Owners and executives from companies across several sectors were polled at the end of 2022 to determine their biggest...
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