[robfitz]

Any sense of what makes him that way? Is it something you've seen in other people as well? Is it a skill thing or a communication thing?

[phpnode]

I think it's a combination of having a broad range of skills, experience and not being at all afraid to call bullshit bullshit. He's polite but focusses on getting stuff done and not the minutiae. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take it!