First let me preface what follows with a few tidbits. Numero Uno, not sure if this idea has been laid out, if it has...it hasn't been to my knowledge or recollection. Number two, to keep it short & sweet, I limited myself to ten individuals and none could be the actual AR Founders. Lastly, of course, this list is bias to the individuals I've been exposed too and my actual take on what they have provided on this forum.
No Particular Order..................
1) Jeff Turner - This guy is innovative in my eyes. He has pungent hints of technological genius and you can see that bleed on many of the posts he has contributed. Above & Beyond that, check his pic on his profile....the guy even looks the part. I've learned a lot from him, a lot I'd never even think of knowing.
2) Lenn Harley - Two words come to mind, Wisdom & Experience. A well-written Real Estate Professional, Lenn's stuff sets a barometer from which most will never attain. If knowledge is truly power, Lenn's a very powerful lady indeed. If you want a mentor, this is a great place to start.
3) William J. Archambault, Jr - William's addition from my end may or may not be a surprise to many of you. I guess the one thing that catapulted him in my eyes was Bill's Rules For Loan Rep's....classic stuff. From my vantage point, and that is typically the only one I have, this guy protrudes wisdom for his craft.
4) Sarah Cooper- If Active-Rain needed a symbol to represent its heart, this gal would be it. A lot of Featured Posts and Subscribed to blogs get there because of their content, their controversy, or their capturing of the imagination. Sarah takes it one step further because her posts are always very well written to boot. She is a heck of a writer and a kinder person you may not find.
5) TLW - The Comment QUEEN Ladies & Gents! She brings a healthy dose of fun and personality to Active-Rain. But that's not why she's in...at least from my perspective. She has, as I write this, 9485 points from commenting on other's posts. What does that mean? To me, it means she is extremely active here and reads a lot of posts from a whole bunch of people. She does this more than anybody...now that is something to ROAR about.
6) Brian Brady - I once read something Brian wrote, I believe in a comment on somebody else's post if I'm not mistaken, that he referred to himself as a "Money-Geek." Let's be honest folks, who else do you want handling your mortgage transaction (other than me, had to throw a cheap plug in there) than a guy like Brian, a Money-Geek. But, he's much more than that, he not only knows his stuff but blends an aggressive & creative outlook with the very fundamentals of lending rationale. If you want to know lending, Brian's the man. And he's the most opinionated one around!
7) Ed Rybczynski - Ed's flat-out an outstanding writer and contributor. Like William J. Archambault, Jr., he's got one of those names that isn't the easiest to pronounce and isn't breaking any point records here on AR....but take a look at his stuff and you may get an idea that this guy is a wonderful contributor and one the better overall writers I've read here of Active-Rain.
8) Rich Jacobson - It's not 'Raining Men,' it's Raining Rich! I've kind of sat back and watched this guy from a distance. I've read his stuff from a distance. I've saw his contributions, comments, & commitment...all from a distance. There's something deep inside me that just flat-out respects Mr. Rich. If Sarah were the heart & Brian were the brain, this guy may just be the soul of this place.
9) George Tallabas - You want inspiration & motivation wrapped up in a package of kindness, George is the guy. One of the more upbeat individuals I've seen anywhere on the net. He's so happy, I get depressed:-) Kidding...This guy brings a ton to the table and to some extent I still think he's vastly under-rated.
10) Bryant Tutas - What does it take to be king, if even for a day? Let's see....Great Knowledge, Humble Manner, A Way With Words, A People Person, Leadership Ability, & An Influential Presence that makes everyone around them better. These traits, I've found, only skim the surface of why this guy is perhaps the Reigning King of Active-Rain. He's Professional, Passionate, & Purpose-Driven in his profession & here. If you can forgive his last attempt at Greatness :-)....you'll recognize a lot of qualities that makes his existence in Active-Rain a very successful & influential one.
There you have it, 10 people, my take. As of 7:22 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time) on yet another TGIF. I've put water in the pot, I ignited the match, I put the pot on the stove and fueled the pilot light. For now, I'll leave that....as that. Maybe the pot gets hot, maybe it even boils, maybe it will remain luke warm. Whatever happens, thank you to all the above mentioned people, as your contributions have been greatly appreciated by yours truly. I know I also failed to mention a lot of heavy hitters, seasoned AR veterans, Diamonds in the Rough, and a blossoming bunch of up and comers. Tis the nature of the beast......
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Well Done!
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;)
Jason
I'm very flattered, yet don't feel deserving of inclusion on such an illustrious list. Thank you ... I'm very appreciative.