I talk with some of the top brokers in our industry every day, and as I've said before, it's one of my favorite parts of the job. These conversations serve as a much needed counter to the daily barrage of gloomy news about regulatory hurdles, nasty politics, rising health care costs and industry consolidation.

As part of our ongoing mission to spotlight faces of the industry, each year we request nominations for our Broker of the Year awards. And each year, our edit team pores over the entry forms to find five brokers who represent everything that's going right with the industry; people who are embracing the changing nature of their work and finding new ways to build relationships and better serve their clients.

This year's finalists again represent a variety of backgrounds, geographical areas, and business models. Together, they provide a great example of the many exciting changes taking place every day in our industry that are transforming the face of benefits:

• When Justin White joined the family insurance business, it took him a while to find his stride. But thanks in part to the introduction of HSAs, he quickly carved out a space within the industry and made it his own. In the years since, he's learned an important lesson: Change equals opportunity.

• Lisa Boucher believes this business is “all about relationships,” and her career provides plenty of evidence to support this. With the help of fellow brokers and industry experts, she has become one of the top three producers in a national firm of more than 800 employees.

• When I first heard Mark Gaunya speak, I realized he exemplifies the innovative broker we so often write and talk about. Gaunya hasn't let his deep roots in the health care industry tie him to the past, as evidenced by his ongoing focus on creative funding solutions, consumer-friendly health care and the value of technology.

• Felipe Barganier's family background in public service taught him the importance of good benefits and provided motivation for his focus on public sector employees. Amidst ongoing industry change, he stresses the importance of finding a niche and balancing innovation and personal interaction.

• Susan Combs moved to the big city and started her own brokerage at the age of 26. Her background in the hospitality and entertainment industries taught her the value of great service and the importance of speaking your clients' language.

Once again, it's going to be a very tough decision.