This article accompanies Facing the Future: Announcing The 2011 Top Employee Benefits Consultant winners.

The Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award identifies outstanding benefits brokers and consultants: those individuals who have done extraordinary work for their clients during the past year. We look at client service, creativity and innovation in problem-solving, cost-savings and quality improvements, along with insurance and benefits expertise.

The winners were selected by the editors of Human Resource Executive^® and Risk & Insurance^® magazines. In addition, these 11 men and women were selected as finalists in the various categories:

Private-Sector Healthcare

* William Lovy

Principal, Mercer, New York

* Suzanne O'Neil

Principal, Mercer, Spokane, Wash.

* Bruce M. Shanefield

Senior Vice President, Aon Hewitt, Miami

* Christopher Thurin

CEO, Benefits Resource LLC, Laguna Beach, Calif.

* Ed Vargas

Senior Vice President, Aon Hewitt, Miami

Public-Sector Healthcare

* Joseph Marlowe

Senior Vice President, Aon Hewitt, Radnor, Pa.

* Hud Peters

Principal, Mercer, Cincinnati

Retirement

* Roselyn Feinsod

Vice President, North Retirement Regional Practice Leader, Aon Hewitt, New York

* Eric Wittenmyer

Senior Vice President, Aon Hewitt, Chicago

Voluntary/Disability

* Mark Klebanoff

Partner, Klerer Financial Services, Wantagh, N.Y.

* Paul Moore

Vice President, National Practice Leader, Voluntary Benefits, Alliant Insurance Services, Newport Beach, Calif.