I know I prefer to deal with medium sized web hosts like these ones:
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http://kvchosting.com
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http://ipage.com
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http://hostwinds.com
There is no need to choose a host with the "fastest" ticket response time, but choose one who you feel you communicate well with. A host who understands your specific needs, and who can sit down with you and talk about what your needs are, and how that host can accommodate for those needs.