Whittaker Report
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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
Feeling Gratitude
By Dean Whittaker As summer draws to an end, and the cycle of life moves to fall, I have been reflecting on what I have learned during this summer time. Perhaps the largest reminder has been to feel rather than think. I have felt the joy of learning coming from the...
Fracking Economic Development
By Dean Whittaker While attending the Utility Economic Development Association (UEDA) conference this month, I learned about the Shale Gas sector. Perhaps I am just a little slow to catch on, but I was stunned by the implications of abundant natural gas as a result of...
Snack Food Trends
By Jami Gibson This month, my research was focused on the snack food industry. After studying over 100 companies, I came away with not only an increased appetite, but also with some insight about where the industry stands now, and where it’s headed. Here are a few...
The New iPad (iPad3)
By Dean Whittaker For those of us with a technology addiction, the New iPad definitely can scratch that itch. After three weeks of use, I have found it to be a good addition to my ever-growing collection of the “latest” technology including the iPad1 and 2. To assist...
Webinar: The Ten Skills We All Need to Have for the 21st Century
Please save the date for our April webinar entitled, "The Ten Skills We All Need to Have for the 21st Century." It will be taking place on Thursday, April 26, 2012 at 2:00pm Eastern time. Stay tuned to our website for further information regarding learning objectives...
Growing Your Own: From Entrepreneurship to Enterprise
By Dean Whittaker The expansion of existing firms is often credited with 75-80% of the new jobs created in a local economy. The Edward Lowe Foundation and others point out that Stage 2 companies (generally, those with 10-100 employees, $1-$50 million in sales) are the...
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Best of 2020
It is probably safe to say most of us have spent more time at home this year than we ever imagined we would. Shelter-in-place orders had us conducting daily life at home, not leaving the house for much more than purchasing essentials or getting exercise outdoors. I...
Celebration of Lights
Dashain and Tihar the first two names that surface when the festivals of Nepal are discussed. Dashain is grandly celebrated for almost 15 days in all the parts of the country. While the fact is undeniable that Dashain is the greatest festival celebrated in Nepal,...
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