Summy Jackal and Xalibur were pretty good role-models in the old days,
but more recently, I've always found little plans and ideas Sid / Jester / Rob have had especially interesting. Inforza taught me how to play when I first came back, hadn't seen the stats in a few years. There's not many others I can think of that have "taught" me much, though..
jerome` taught me to nick steal, and you should all recognise the strategic importance of stealing the Nicks of your alliancemates from time to time. For that valuable reason, he's at the top of my favourite PA players list
