As the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke is perhaps the most influential person on the planet in terms reshaping not only the American economy, but the global economy as a whole. The 56-year-old former economics professor at Princeton has been tabbed by Time magazine as the "Person of the Year 2009."

Highly criticized by many, Michael Grunwald of Time said it best: "His arguments aren't partisan or ideological; they're methodical, grounded in data and the latest academic literature. When he doesn't know something, he doesn't bluster or bluff. He's professorial ..." In other words, Bernanke is not a typical dignitary working in Washington. Rather, he is as practical and grounded as they come.

The nation's economy, accentuated by the housing collapse, required radical action, and Bernanke stepped forward and accepted the responsibility to right the ship. As a professor at Princeton, Bernanke concentrated on the Great Depression. Who then, would be a better choice to lead the charge? As we have seen, the economy is stabilizing, particularly on the housing front. With the best interest of Main Street at the forefront, Bernanke answered the call and led the world away from financial meltdown.

As current mortgage rates remain below the 5% threshold, Bernanke is the central reason. Existing homeowners who have not refinanced yet, should. Those borrowers tempted by the lure of homeownership, should, too. When current mortgage rates inevitably rise, it is proof the economy has stabilized and Bernanke's due diligence has paid off.

-Robert Hyder