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
The Renaissance of the South Bend, Indiana Region
By Dean Whittaker An economic renaissance is underway in South Bend, Indiana, a community of 100,000 on the Indiana/Michigan border. Recently South Bend started an effort to re-invent itself from a declining old manufacturing city with population out-migration...
Food Industry Trends
By Brittany Gebben Food industry trends are continually changing and recently, at rapid speeds. Healthy eating is transforming the food industry. According to Mintel Global New Products Database, natural product claims (which include no...
Suddenly an Adult
By Sambridhi ShresthaA sudden wave pushing you down when you are standing strong, that’s what quarter life crisis feels like. A wave that holds insecurities, anxiety, and most importantly confusion giving you a sinking feeling. Not many recognize it but it happens to...
Intrapreneurship- Empowering the Workforce
By Ayush Dev Pant Intrapreneurship is an organizational culture, where the employees are capable of making entrepreneurial decisions while solving different problems and issues. Just like entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship also revolves around one of the most talked...
Site Selection Trends – SEDC Meet the Consultants
By Dean Whittaker The Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) Meet the Consultants conference was held in Chicago, March 20th and 21st. In the six panel discussions, we learned about the trends in site location of back offices, distribution/logistics centers,...
Technology… Will it Supplement or Hinder our Lives?
By Brittany Gebben I’ve recently become more and more aware of my compulsive need to pick up my phone and check emails, reply to a text, open an app or simply scroll. I’ve been challenging myself to limit screen time and have found that it’s not as easy as I had...
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
Turning Worry into Wonder
Have you ever noticed that what we focus on tends to manifest in our lives? It's as if the universe responds to our thoughts and emotions, bringing into reality whatever we give our attention to. This can be both a blessing and a curse, as our worries and fears can...
AI vs. Humans
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used to automate tasks that were previously performed by humans. This can lead to the displacement of some workers and the need for new skills in the workforce. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to...
Follow Us
Copyright © 2025 - Whittaker Associates Inc.
Site by Createfully.