Bruce Dietz, with Keller Williams Realty Augusta Partners, has been awarded the accredited buyer representation designation by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council Inc. of the National Association of Realtors.

Poythress & Associates , owned by Richard Poythress, has been selected for the 2008 Best of Augusta Award in the health insurance category by the U.S. Local Business Association.

Aundrea Goodin, with Keller Williams Realty Augusta Partners, has been awarded the accredited buyer representation designation by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council Inc. of the National Association of Realtors.

Pull-A-Part , with a location in Augusta, earned first place honors for the waste reduction and recycling category of the Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards for the third consecutive year. The category recognizes the efforts of businesses and other organizations to minimize the impact of waste and promote responsible waste handling in the community.

The American Ceramic Society Board of Trustees elected Carol Jantzen, of the Department of Energy's Savannah River National Laboratory, for distinguished life membership. The Aiken resident received the recognition for her contribution to the ceramics profession.

Augusta veterinarian T. Lamar Walker, of Highland Animal Clinic, has been named Veterinarian of the Year for the southeastern United States in a contest sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition and Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy magazines.

Solo Cup Co . in Augusta was honored at the state Work Ready Awards as a Work Ready Business of the Year. It instituted Work Ready into its three Georgia facilities earlier this year, resulting in more than 70 new hires.