Web metrics experts and resources?

I was hoping to get pointers to helpful experts and resources on web metrics analysis, as well as most admired companies who are users/consumers of web metrics. 

As part of a work project, I'm doing an industry scan to better understand trends and best practices in web metrics analysis. Can anyone recommend who they feel are the key 'experts' and knowledge leaders in this field, and/or point me to particularly useful blogs, books or other resources?  Which are the leading companies that seem to 'get it' with web metrics (Google?, Facebook?...)

This is for an internally focussed search-heavy intranet site, so Search Engine Optimization does not apply here (i.e., we are not driving internet traffic to the site). We are focussed on metrics that help us understand our users, design better features, evaluate the impact of changes, and uncover new opportunities to serve our users better.

many thanks!

Amy Grandov
Business Analyst