Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Spring Has Sprung
Spring has sprung in Holland, MI, a town located on Lake Michigan in the Midwest. Over 4.5 million tulips are in bloom for the next two weeks, creating a spectacular display alongside the flourishing plum and pear trees. The town expects to welcome 50,000 tourists...
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
How Do You See Yourself?
By Dean Whittaker What did I learn this month? Actually, I learned much more than I expected. I learned that I am not a staff member, but rather, I am a member of a team. We don’t have staff meeting any more but rather team meetings. More than just words, I now see...
Instilling Hope in a Community
By Jami Gibson This month, I started volunteering at a local community center. Baxter is an inner-city neighborhood in Grand Rapids that has a 33% poverty rate in addition to crime and drug issues. In order to help and restore hope to the residents of the...
A More Joyful Workplace
By Patrick Cisler “Hi, my name is Eric. What’s yours?” I was asked by a gentleman who came sprinting from his work desk to shake my hand and introduce himself. My response was followed by Eric bringing me over to his workstation to show me what he was making. Eric...
Making Choices
By Dean Whittaker In his book "How Will You Measure Your Life," Clayton Christensen, a world class thinker and Harvard professor, describes his theories regarding how to think about the critical decisions we all make that can bring happiness and success in life...
Opportunities for Health Insurance Carriers
By Jami Gibson After conducting research for a local health insurance company, I wondered what kind of pressures these companies would face as the healthcare industry is in the process of being radically transformed. How do health insurance carriers plan to compete...
How Healthcare Reform Will Change the Landscape of Employment Loyalty
By Patrick Cisler Recently, a conversation left me lost in my thoughts about the future of career paths. My mother-in-law and I were discussing the pending impact of Health Care reform, and she struck me with something I hadn’t thought about. She said, “Regardless of...
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Latest
SmartLeads™ Trends 2020
Each turn of the new year we’ve taken a look back on the past year’s SmartLeads™ trends. As we wrap up 2020 (phew, what a year it’s been!), it’s no surprise to learn that we’ve had a shift in sector/subsector focus. On a side note, does anyone else feel...
2020 Takeaways and Cheers to a Healthy Mind, Body and Spirit for 2021! Making a Lifestyle Resolution, NOT just a New Year Resolution.
Coming out of 2020 alive and well in mind, body and spirit in itself is a blessing. I will touch on the three of these and what we can take away from what we learned personally or may have witnessed from others during a year that will definitely go down in history for...
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