yesterday.

Cabinet Secretary Leopold Mills II was named Secretary of the Year by the Business and Professional Women's Association of Bermuda.

Afterward he said: "I am quite flattered and quite honoured at being selected for this rather interesting and prestigious award.

"I did not know that I was in the running for it which made the surprise all the more poignant when it was confirmed that I would be presented the award.'' Mr. Mills, a lawyer, became Secretary to the Cabinet in 1993 after serving four years as Assistant Cabinet Secretary.

He said his duties as Cabinet Secretary extended "far beyond'' what people understood secretaries did.

Besides the physical aspects of the job such as taking the minutes for Cabinet meetings and the like, said Mr. Mills, the job had other capacities.

These included filling the role of permanent secretary in the Premier's office, duties associated with that portfolio and chairing various committees.

HONOURED -- Leo Mills and BPWA President Dr. Susanne Smith