Michele L. Reneau has been awarded the Accredited Buyer Representation designation by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council Inc. of the National Association of Realtors. The designation is given to those who successfully complete a comprehensive course in buyer representation and an elective course focusing on a buyer representation specialty, both in addition to submitting documentation verifying professional experience.

The S.C. World Trade Center named BB&T as the World Trader of the Year. SCWTC presents the World Trader of the Year award to companies that have demonstrated a commitment to building South Carolina’s trading community. In 2005, BB&T worked with 10 small and mid-sized South Carolina businesses, ultimately increasing South Carolina small business exports by more than $50 million. Through these efforts, small South Carolina businesses were able to maintain and, in some cases, increase employment statewide. BB&T’s client, Quoizel, earned the World Trader of the Year award in the small category for its expanded import business from China.

Michael Brandson was recently awarded the Graduate Realtor Institute designation. The GRI designation is earned through advanced training covering a variety of subjects including contract law, professional standards, finance, sales and marketing, and risk reduction. Less than 5% of all real estate agents nationwide hold the GRI designation.

Mount Pleasant insurance executive Kathy D. McKay has been recognized for her outstanding service to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of South Carolina. McKay, an IIABSC board member and chairwoman of the education committee, was named committee chairperson of the year and recipient of the AAMGA Achievement Award sponsored by the American Association of Managing General Agents. The IIABSC is the state’s oldest and largest association of property and casualty insurance agents.

The Citadel School of Business Administration has been named one of the nation’s top 237 business schools by The Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company profiles the school in the 2006 edition of its Best 237 Business Schools. The college’s selection is based on survey results collected over three years from students at the best AACSB-accredited MBA programs in the world and statistical information gathered from numerous sources.

The I’On Guild recently recognized the achievements on the part of individuals doing work in the I’On neighborhood. The I’On Design Committee awards for design excellence were: Miles Gandy Whitfield, architect, “Best Overall House Design” for the Marlowe/Chandler speculative residence, 94 West Shipyard Road; Marlowe/Chandler, builder, “Best Overall House Design” for speculative residence, 94 West Shipyard Road; Derek Wade, Carolina Landscape, landscape designer, “Best Overall Landscape Design” for the Marlowe/Chandler speculative residence, 94 West Shipyard Road; Marlowe/Chandler, builder, “Best Architectural Element—Carpentry/Trim” for the residence 31 Krier Lane; Neal Van Dalen, designer, “Best Overall Porch Design” for the Scales residence, 31 John Galt Way; Charlie Ricketson, Iron Art Works, “Best Architectural Element—Metalwork” for the residence 178 North Shelmore Blvd.; Neal Van Dalen, designer, “Best Overall Architectural Details—Designer” for the residence 174 Ionsborough St.; and Hammerhead Builders, builder, “Best Overall Architectural Details—Builder” for the residence 174 Ionsborough St. Trade contractors that won this year’s I’On Guild Craftsmanship Awards were: Rob Chapman, The Charleston Group, Interior Trim; Patrick Edwards, Palmetto Resident Electric, Electrical; Sharon Mingoia and Sonny Watkins, Sharon’s Painting, Painting; Al Evans, A.B. Evans Concrete & Hauling, Landscape Paving; Angel Padraza, APS Stucco, Stucco; Tim Green, Roofing; Al Evans, A.B. Evans Concrete & Hauling, Site Preparation; Chris Miles, Exterior Trim; Derek Wade, Carolina Landscaping, Landscaping; Larry Craven, Plumbing; Al Evans, A.B. Evans Concrete & Hauling, Masonry; Don Moore, A/C Heating and Air, Mechanical; and Mike Martin, Cape Building Services, Framing.

Dorchester County Economic Development director Jim Friar recently completed a two-day training program on business retention and expansion. Friar will use this training award as one of three programs needed for his Certified Economic Developer recertification in 2006. Professional economic development certification is offered by the International Economic Development Council through its CEcD program. The award of the designation requires evidence of satisfactory service, completion of the Economic Development Institute and successful passage of the national examinations, written and oral.

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