Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
AI in Economic Development – Issue 2.0
Artificial Intelligence - Promise and Peril As we navigate through 2023, we've become acutely aware of artificial intelligence's dual nature. We marvel at the promise it holds for medical breakthroughs, innovative treatments for chronic diseases, and the prospects of...
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
Two things I learned from our hiking trip to Lakuri Bhanjyang
By Sharad KC This month, the research team here in Nepal went on a short hiking trip to Lakuri Bhanjyang, a small hill southeast of Kathmandu Valley. Since we work in a shared office space environment, we invited everyone in the building to join us for the hike. The...
HELP WANTED: Everywhere
By Dean Whittaker This month we hosted a webinar titled: Economic & Workforce Development: Meeting the Needs of Employers. Our panel consisted of Sara Dunnigan, Executive Director, Virginia Board of Workforce; Beth Kuhn, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of...
With Change Comes Opportunity – A Look Toward 2015 and Beyond
By Dean Whittaker We all feel the surge of change taking place around us. Change leaves many of us frightened and confused while others of us learn, grow, and seize the opportunities that it brings. As I reflect on the past 30 years of business since founding...
JOY
By Jami Gibson With the holidays in full effect, I’ve spent much time with family and friends over the past several weeks. It seems that many of the conversations we have this time of year are spent reflecting on the past year and anticipating the New Year. It was on...
Finding Accurate Information on the Web
By Sharad KC Information is abundant on the Internet. Individuals, companies, and governments all over the world are storing their information online. Further, society is constantly updating our progress using social media which adds more data to the Web in a faster...
4D Printing: Bringing Designs to Life
By Jami Gibson “‘Some assembly required’ may soon be replaced with ‘just add water.’” The opening quote from FW:Thinking’s YouTube video, 4D Printing is the Future of Design, is shockingly accurate. While 3D printing has been gaining momentum commercially for some...
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Latest
Gratitude – Thank You
Thanksgiving is a time of year that reminds me to take a moment to consider and be grateful for all that I have been given. With all that has been happening in the world over the last nearly two years, it seems especially important to find gratitude in daily life....
On the Move
When was the last time you moved your residence? After 27 years in the same house, my wife and I are moving to a condo. Moving from 2,200 sq. ft. to 1,100 sq. ft. does present some logistical challenges in terms of “downsizing” to fit the new space. Here are a few...
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