Then we should elect one. Moderators are the best choice for this. They should post a thread here which has a poll which everyone can vote for the moderator to be elected as the admin of this forum. But ofcourse this time there should be a vice which can take over when somethings happen to the admin. Like the op's worrying about.
Sorry to burst you bubble but election is not the answer if any of the admins died and a replacement is needed. Just imagine how many alts are out there who will vote for someone who they think can protect their business and interest.
Simple, only the moderators aka staff members will be able to vote.
As far as I know, just like how they select a moderator, its through recommendation and members can chime in but its not a vote, they can give feedback regardless if its negative or positive, then the powers that be will select among the short listed.
Exactly, theymos doesn't like the vote.