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morgan.chilson@cjonline.com

Seven Topeka leaders will join the Junior Achievement 2017 Business Hall of Fame next March, including the first-ever selection of a married couple.

“This year’s selection committee chose the laureates based on business excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, inspiring leadership, community impact, role model conduct, local influence and enduring legacy,” said Amy Burns, president of Junior Achievement of Kansas, at a brunch Tuesday.

The seven laureates, who will be honored March 2, 2017, at a tribute dinner, are:

■ Don Landoll, Marysville, president and founder of Landoll Corp.

■ Duane Fager, chairman of the board of CoreFirst Bank & Trust.

■ Beth Fager, volunteer chairwoman of the Topeka-Shawnee County Riverfront Authority.

■ Randy Austin, trial lawyer and owner of Fairlawn Plaza LLC.

■ Martha Bartlett Piland, president and CEO of MB Piland Advertising and Marketing.

■ Mike Worswick, co-owner of Wolfe’s Camera Shop.

■ DeWitt Harkness, co-owner of Wolfe’s Camera Shop.

Each laureate spoke, expressing the honor they felt upon being selected. Some shared funny stories of their own Junior Achievement backgrounds.

As individuals successful in business, each laureate offered his or her appreciation for the JA focus on entrepreneurship and learning.

For information about attending the Topeka Business Hall of Fame Tribute Dinner on March 2, 2017, call Junior Achievement at (785) 235-3700.