To compile these rankings, Scott Maxwell's Taking Names assembled a panel of 17 people who are in good positions to judge power and influence in Central Florida. They come from the political, business, nonprofit and educational communities. Their mission: compile a list of the most powerful people in Central Florida -- those people who know how to get big-scale results through influence, contacts, diligence and fortitude.

Each panelist started with a blank slate and was asked to come up with 25 names and rank them in order. The higher the rank, the more points a power player earned.

Though a minority of the panel also made the list, panelists were prohibited from voting for themselves. Additionally, none of the panelists was told the identities of the others until the voting was complete.

Taking Names offers sincere thanks to the members below for the time and effort involved in this exercise.

Who voted:

Rich Crotty, Orange County mayor

Buddy Dyer, Orlando mayor

Tom Dyer, Watermark publisher

Helen Donegan, University of Central Florida vice president for community relations

Ray Gilley, Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission president and CEO

Margot Knight, United Arts CEO

Fred Leonhardt, GrayRobinson partner

Rita Lowndes, arts benefactor

Daisy Lynum, Orlando city commissioner

Henry Maldonado, WKMG-Channel 6 general manager

Mel Martinez, U.S. senator

Mercedes McCall, Banco Popular, Central Florida region executive

John Mica, U.S. representative

Jerry Montgomery, Walt Disney World senior vice president

Tim Shea, 2005 chairman of Orange County School Board and Democratic Party

Craig Ustler, Ustler Development Inc.

Kathy Waltz, Orlando Sentinel publisher

.

25

This Winter Park developer is one of the state's biggest Democratic fundraisers.

24

The founder of Amway holds influence in Central Florida

despite living in Michigan.

23

This billionaire aided plans for a University of Central Florida medical school.

22

This former politician was part of Change 4 Kids to increase taxes for schools.

21

This former astronaut moved from Tallahassee to Baldwin Park this year.

20

Not one power panelist correctly spelled both his first and last name.

19

Some panelists think he could be a candidate for lieutenant governor.

18

The GrayRobinson law partner has access to the state's top power players.

17

This attorney is a gatekeeper for transportation and development in the area.

16

This party leader makes history as the first person younger than 40 on the list.