Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast

Unveiling the Potential of Hydrogen Energy in the Global Economy
In the pursuit of sustainable energy sources to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels, hydrogen energy has emerged as a promising contender. This clean and versatile energy carrier has garnered significant attention due to its potential to...
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
Dashain in Pictures
By Sharad KC Annually, the month of October brings me my much awaited and favorite time of year, Dashain. Dashain is a time for almost everything. It is a time to take break from work, reconnect with your family members, play cards, and most importantly, be grateful...
Eco-Friendly Plastics
By Saurav Rajbhandari The demand for plastic is never-ending. Almost every product we use today is made out of plastic. From the toothbrush we use after we get up in the morning to our laptops we use for work, nearly every product has some parts made out of plastic....
Site Selection Consultants Share Their Perspectives
By Dean Whittaker The closing session at this year’s International Economic Development Council meeting was a panel discussion with a group of Site Location Consultants. The panelists discussed trends they observed and concluded with a “wish list” of what economic...
Fundraising Tips from a Newbie
By Jami Gibson This past June, I wrote my article about the “be nice.” program, a mental health initiative aimed to raise mental health awareness, bullying and suicide prevention in K-12 schools. Since then, I spent most of my free time over the summer serving on a...
Did I just miss out on the Craft Beer revolution?
By Sharad KC It’s been more than four years since I came back home to Nepal after completing my bachelor’s degree in Pennsylvania. And if there is one thing that I miss about the United States, it’s the wide variety of beer available. Now I’m not complaining about the...
Social Media Marketing Trends
By Saurav Rajbhandari Companies operating within every industry have invested a fair amount of time and energy to focus on social media marketing. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other similar sites are used by people from all over the world, and this has created a...
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Latest
The Truth Machine
One of the books I read recently is titled, The Truth Machine: The Blockchain and the Future of Everything, by Michael J. Casey and Paul Vigna. It is about how blockchain, our shared digital, verifiable ledger page, traces and verifies transactions and, in the...
Covid and Its Ripple Effects
Inflation has been in the headlines ever since the rampant spread of Covid. There is no doubt that Covid has caused major havoc as it spread across the world, claiming millions of lives, and leaving some battling long-term health issues. While the Covid waves have...
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