Four role models selected for Hall of Fame as Junior Achievement celebrates 25 years of business honors

A fresh round of Hall of Fame laureates celebrates Kansas City’s living legacy of visionary leaders who drive business excellence, innovation and community impact, said Megan Sturges, announcing a range of honorees from tech to tender chicken.

“The JA Business Hall of Fame celebrates more than business success — it honors the spirit of leadership and entrepreneurship that shapes our community,” said Sturges, president and CEO of Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City. “This year’s laureates are role models not only for their peers but also for the thousands of K-12 students we serve each year. Their stories provide inspiration to the younger generation to pursue their dreams with dedication and hard work.”

The laureates are expected to be recognized at the 25th Annual JA Business Hall of Fame luncheon Nov. 6 at JA BizTown within the JA Youth Learning Lab, 2842 W 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

Click here to learn more about the Hall of Fame event.

“For a quarter of a century, this event has honored business leaders and entrepreneurs who exemplify leadership, visionary thinking, integrity and a deep commitment to community involvement,” Junior Achievement said in a press release. 

The four 2025 Hall of Fame honorees include:

• Jose Luis Valdez, co-founder and owner, Palacana — Opened Palacana, formerly Paleterias Tropicana, in the historic Westside of Kansas City in the summer of 2004 with a unique concept of artisan ice cream in the style of Michoacán. Today, Palacana has six brick-and-mortar locations, plus a high-profile concession stand within Kauffman Stadium.
• Lenora Payne, CEO, Technology Group Solutions — Established TGS in 2005, based on her belief in providing a full spectrum of information technology infrastructure solutions with integrity, honesty, dependability, and a customer-centric philosophy.
• Dave Johnson, founder, Chicken N Pickle —  Launched Chicken N Pickle in 2016, combining a casual, chef-driven restaurant with pickleball courts and indoor/outdoor games for all ages and abilities. Chicken N Pickle currently operates 11 locations across Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Nevada, Oklahoma and Arizona. Two additional locations are under construction.
• Wiley Curran, principal and co-founder, CPC — Led the asset consolidation of the Curran family umbrella of businesses, creating Curran Companies, which boasts investments in 14 businesses in a variety of different industries. Today, these businesses employ over 6,000 people across the US and touch industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, industrial field services, and professional sports.

“This year’s laureates continue this legacy, sharing their gifts through innovation, service, and dedication to the region’s economic growth and vitality,” Junior Achievement said.

Past Business Hall of Fame honorees include Vu Radley, MADE MOBB; Chris and Angie Long, Palmer Square Capital Management, the Kansas City Current; John Thomson, PayIt; Lisa Ginter, CommunityAmerica Credit Union; Tyler Nottberg, U.S. Engineering; and Chase McAnulty, Charlie Hustle. 

Laureates also include such Kansas City business icons as Barnett and Shirley Helzberg; Peter Mallouk; Henry Bloch; Joyce Hall; and Ewing Marion Kauffman.