Whittaker Report
Blog & Podcast
Company Talent Attraction & Retention
The past several years, I’ve heard the same lament from business owners: “We’re in dire need of employees, but we cannot find help anywhere.” On-the-other-hand, I’ve also heard from job searchers that they are unable to find work or even receive a call-back from a job...
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
One Hell of an Experience!!
By Anu Tandukar I believe that is exactly how a typical American would define the kind of experience that I had during my stay in the United States. There was certainly this “disorientation” when I was just introduced to the American culture. Moreover, I went through...
10 Top Time-Saving Tech Tips
Check out the video below to hear David Pogue discuss the 10 top time-saving tech tips for computer, web, smartphone, and camera users all in less than 6 minutes.
Webinar Recording: "Seeing What's Next – Trends Impacting Economic Development and Real Estate"
Whittaker Associates hosted another great webinar this quarter for economic development and real estate professionals! This webinar recording is intended to provide you with insight into the major trends impacting economic development and corporate real estate in...
Does Place Matter?
By Dean Whittaker For those of us in the economic development profession, we like to think that place matters. And, I would argue that it does. According to David Houle, in his TEDx Pittsburgh and TEDx Sarasota talks, place shapes who we are. To a degree, it shapes...
Nanotech: The Future of Medicine?
By Sailesh Dhungana The desires to be healthy and to live longer are two of the most important traits that have helped our species survive. Since ancient times, people have tried new approaches for the preservation of health and longevity of life – from the use of...
3D Printing: A Follow-Up
By Raphael Wieland As the newest member of the Whittaker Associates team, I have spent the past month trying to figure out what exactly it is that we do here. I still don’t have a perfect definition of what it is we do, but our company tagline of “Giving Information...
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Latest
Back to School… Sort of.
By Brittany Ryzenga As summer came to an end parents across the globe had been anxiously anticipating the arrival of “Back to School 2020”, unsure of what back to school would truly mean this year amidst a global pandemic. After months of stay at home orders,...
Name Three Things…
By Valorie Oonk Even before the Coronavirus pandemic, our team at Whittaker Associates have conducted team meetings via Zoom or GoToMeeting as our team is located in different parts of the world. Typically, at the end of every meeting, we are each asked to name...
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