Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
The Joy of Learning: Using AI as a Teacher
For me, one of my greatest joys is learning, a trait inherited from my grandmother’s boundless curiosity. She instilled in me the habit of questioning why, how, who, what, and when. You can imagine my excitement when I discovered how AI could serve as a teacher. It...
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
Direct Selling: A Growing Industry
By Jami Gibson It seems that in recent years, direct selling has become extremely popular. Companies like Amway, Tupperware, Avon, and Mary Kay have been selling their products person-to-person for decades, but other companies are popping up or gaining traction in the...
Pokhara – A city where much can be learned
By Sharad KC Henry Ford once said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.” This very quest for knowledge has brought me to this beautiful city of...
Impact of Tech on the Hotel Industry
By Saurav Rajbhandari Technology has been a major driver of change in the way we conduct business. It stands true for all sectors. Self-driving cars in the automotive industry and automated burger machines in the food industry, technology disrupts and creates new...
A Shift in Tourism Development Paradigm
By Sudeep Kandel Last month, I had an opportunity to attend a ‘Workshop on Ecologically and Socially Sustainable Tourism' at Sambhaavnaa Institute of Public Policy and Politics in Himanchal Pradesh, India. It was a unique experience to attend this workshop even before...
Embracing Disruption
By Dean Whittaker As Bob Dylan says in his song, “The Times They are a Changin.” His point was clearly illustrated at the recent Industrial Asset Management Council conference held in New Orleans this month. The keynote remarks by Peter Zeihan, author of “The...
Top Site Selection Factors
By Jami Gibson Area Development recently released their 30th Annual Survey of Corporate Executives. The poll takes into account company decision-maker’s future location and expansion plans as well as the level of importance of several site location factors. The full...
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Latest
Planning for the Unplanned
For over a month, we’ve been watching atrocities unfold in Ukraine. As millions of people fled their homes and country, they had little time or space to grab much more than a small bag of essentials. While it may be unlikely that we ever see that kind of humanitarian...
A.G.E.
While sitting in the waiting room at the orthopedic surgeon, I had a conversation with an older gentleman who said he was suffering from an illness called A.G.E., and I was thinking I can relate to that! I was waiting for an appointment to discuss my joint replacement...
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