Reports in two separate publications stop just short of verifying what GlobeSt.com has expected--and the industry has batted around--for months, that a top-tier shift is about to occur.

But press reports that Mosler's eventual rise is a slam dunk--that he was handpicked by Mirante with succession in mind--might overstate the case a bit. "There are other contenders," states one source.

Indeed someone could come out of left field, but it's unlikely, other industry watchers state. "Nothing in leadership gets done in that company without years of planning," he said.

The transfer of power to whomever gets the ultimate nod would cap a long and distinguished career for Mirante, who joined C&W in 1971. He took the reins in 1984 and is generally credited with parlaying the regional brokerage firm into the global powerhouse it currently is. On his watch, C&W jumped the Atlantic with what was originally a joint venture with Healey & Baker of London. The brokerage firm, which was founded in 1840, was ultimately absorbed into the mainline company.

Mosler was EVP before his appointment as US president, and the firm has logged annual revenues consistently over $700 million since his ascension. In what seems a prophetic statement now, upon Mosler's appointment, Mirante commented that the new head of US operations, "has distinguished himself as a brokerage professional and has the energy, talent and human qualities to drive our firm to unprecedented success."