I'm a big fan of LinkedIn,especially the wide variety of groups that you can join, on justabout any professional topic. Search “insuranceagents” alone, and you'll get a list of more than450 groups, segmented by specialty, interest,carrier or location.

An interesting question is up for discussion in the aptlynamed “Insurance Geeks” group, which regularlytackles tough contract issues and more philosophical topics. Onethat caught my eye is, “ Who or what is/are the most influentialpeople in the insurance business?”

Because group members come from all walks of the industry, theresponses are varied, but independent agents are wellrepresented. Some of the names that made the short listincluded, in absolutely no order, are also on mine:

Bill Wilson –long-time head of Big I's IIABA Virtual University and arecognized leader on insurance education.

RickMorgan – senior vice president of Aartrijk and an earlyadopter and proponent of cutting-edge agency technology.

ChrisBurand – agency management specialist.

Steve Anderson –another recognized name in agency technology and management.

CherylKoch – agency management consultant and educator.

Peter van Aartrijk –insurance branding and marketing savant.

ShirleyLukens – Reagan Consulting star, spearheads the BestPractices system.

ChrisAmrhein – our own “PolicyIssues” columnist and beloved industry educator.

DonMalecki – more than 45 years' experience in just aboutevery aspect of insurance.

JackGibson – president of IRMI, risk management speaker andauthor.

ChuckSchramm – Illinois-based insurance educator andconsultant.

DennisGarrett – executive VP of Independent Insurance Agents ofIllinois, educator and author.

PamMitroff – healthcare consultant and director of stateaffairs for the National Assn. ofHealth Underwriters (NAHU).

Other observers cited state insurance commissioners, “those thatcontrol capital in the reinsurance market,” and the consumer.

Who's on your short list, and why?