Whittaker Report
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Top Ten Site Selection Factors
Area Development recently published several articles related to the results from their 37th Annual Corporate Survey of corporate executive readers. Owners and executives from companies across several sectors were polled at the end of 2022 to determine their biggest...
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 Are You Known?
By Dean Whittaker We are all striving to be unique, to stand out, and differentiate ourselves. How are you known among your colleagues, friends, and peers? How will you be remembered? Communities, being a collection of individuals, face these same questions. What...
Service Standards
By Jami Gibson I just returned from vacationing out of the country. Despite living in paradise for a week, completely unplugged from reality, work did cross my mind. My husband and I found ourselves talking about the “Ritz-Carlton service,” and how we wished every...
Is There a New Opportunity for You Within These Walls?
By Patrick Cisler What comes to mind when looking at these pictures? When I first saw similar images, I thought these buildings were a corporate headquarters for the latest Silicon Valley technology company, a modern healthcare facility, an architecture firm, or even...
Why?
By Dean Whittaker During our webinar this month, "The Seven Deadly Sins of Community Marketing", Roger Brooks taught us that one of those sins is overlooking the “why” aspect of our marketing efforts and instead focusing too much on the “what.” Often, we attempt to...
Take a Different Approach to Food Manufacturers
By Patrick Cisler Have you recently considered attracting food manufacturers to your region? If so, you may want to alter your traditional approach. The truth of the matter is that growing companies in the food industry aren’t focused on building new production...
Ten Trends Impacting Economic Development and Commercial Real Estate
By Dean Whittaker As 2011 draws to a close and we look ahead to 2012, we begin to wonder what the New Year will bring. Here are a few collective observations from friends, colleagues, and clients engaged in economic development and commercial real estate. 1. Work –...
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Latest
Want Extra Spending Money? Do This One Five-Minute Task.
No, I’m not talking about checking the pockets of your pants before laundering your clothes or overturning seat cushions for spare change. This task is even easier and could possibly result in hundreds or thousands of dollars added to your or your business’ bank...
Leadership During a Pandemic – the Elephant in the Room
By Dean WhittakerEarlier this month I attended and presented at the International Economic Development Annual Conference. Originally set to be held in Dallas, it was transformed into a four-day, virtual event. Among the benefits of this transformation was a record...
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