Three industry leaders with strong ties to West Virginia have been named to the 2005 West Virginia Business Hall of Fame.

This year’s honorees are:

William T. Brightof Summersville, founder and chairman of the board, Bright Enterprises, a real estate investment firm responsible for a variety of development projects, including ski resorts and retirement communities

H. Smoot Fahlgrenof Parkersburg , chairman, Fahlgren Inc., one of the nation’s largest advertising agencies outside New York City

Marshall S. Millerof Bluefield , Va. , CEO and chairman of the board, Marshall Miller&Associates Inc., one of the country’s largest geological, geophysical and engineering services firms. Miller is a native of Bluefield , W.Va.

They will be inducted during a public ceremony Thursday, Oct. 13, at Morgantown’s Radisson Hotel. A reception begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 7:30 p.m.

This is the fifth group to be inducted into the West Virginia Business Hall of Fame. This celebration of business is a tribute to those who have demonstrated accomplishments in the world of business and provide models for entrepreneurs and business people of the future.

A committee sought nominations throughout the summer and chose inductees from among 63 nominations.

“These inductees embody the true West Virginian entrepreneurial spirit,”said Stephen Sears, dean of the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics, which established the hall in 2001.

“Each has taken his own skills and through hard work, perseverance and dedication has transformed his own personal dreams into the success story we all love to hear about,”Sears added.

Those inducted into the Hall of Fame must have established a record of distinction in their field and industry in the categories of national/international businesses, state-based enterprises or entrepreneurial and family businesses. They must also have connections to West Virginia , either by birth, residence, education or business presence.

More on the Net:www.be.wvu.edu/fame