Agree with Mavric that it depends on what we're looking for. I went with the even-keel and contributors as criteria also. Think we want at least two of the latter and ideally, all for the former.
*My list won't be ordered; just reverse alphabetical. As long as we're welcoming guys to the team, there should be no preference. Simple in or out for me.
1. Thanks_Tom: He makes sense given his interest (as shown by his discussion with Eric) and his help with the recruiting forum. As Eric noted he's also pretty soft-spoken. This is the important part to me: he hasn't *ever* gotten into it with anybody that I've seen, no matter the context. This is an extremely valuable trait in a mod. I could definitely take a cue or two from him in that category.
2. Saunders45: I think he fits exactly what Eric is looking for. He's interested and invested in this community. His application stands out as very thorough and lets us know exactly what he's about. His style is a bit different, which I think will be good as it adds some diversity to the mod team. Being occasionally feisty as Mav noted is one area he might want to watch out for in his capacity as a mod, but I've been through the same road during my time here. Given his love for this community, I do not think it will be an issue if it's well explained to him.
3. NUance: Definitely. I know him a little bit outside of the board and feel he has absolutely the right stuff for this. Very easygoing and hits it off with everybody. As long as he is interested, I'm on board. The 2 users thing won't be able to work; we can see if that would be an issue for him.
4*. Blackshirtsguru: Did he end up applying? He posted that he would and perhaps just missed Eric's reply. I believe his name came up years ago in the last big round of new moderators and I thought he was a strong candidate then. He seems very mature and level-headed, and like NUance, as long as he's interested, I'm on board. I think he'd be a great addition to the team. It also helps to not have every new moderator be one of the most prolific posters -- it gives the team some diversity, and helps the process not be looked at as a "top posters' club" deal.
Lastly of the people I didn't mention, I wanted to make a note on It'sNotAFakeID. I've always enjoyed his posts here. He took serious, extended issue with the mods team over the January bannings, and I don't know what became of that. I don't think his concerns were unfounded, but I am surprised he was so interested in joining the mods team, and don't know *why* he did, or what approach he intends to adopt. This is something I wish we had learned more about in his application, but all we have from him is how much he posts. In fairness, that is all that was asked in the questionnaire. However, *every* other candidate at least did some feeling out about the nature of their proposed role with Eric, so it is a notable omission to me.