Although it's possible he can port plugins, why would you want to? It'd still take a lot of work.
I don't see why people complain about staying with vBulletin 3, it's perfectly fine and it does the job. It can use some revamps, I'll give you guys that, but it's awesome. IPB is too, bleh.. doesn't make sites friendly looking to me, to be honest. I'd much prefer vBulletin.
Stay with vBulletin 3, get a professional coder and designer.
Baraka is a great coder both skin wise and plugin wise, I'm sure he wouldn't mind doing some jobs around the site. AJAX PM's, AJAX Latest Posts. -cough-
But the problem with WJunction is they ask for member opinions and completely ignore them when the time comes to do the things members ask for.
I'm pretty sure you guys have funds. 8-)
lolz Exel, and thanks :P If they allow it, i'll be glad to