Ouellette named Secretary of Year

Linda Ouellette of the Pucheu, Pucheu and Robinson Law Office, was named the 22nd “Administrative Professional of the Year” by the Eunice Rotary Club Wednesday afternoon.

Once, and still most often, called “Secretary of the Year”, the award has been given by the Rotary Club since 1986 to recognize the individuals who make offices and businesses function.

The name was changed in 2000 to reflect changing job titles and expanding responsibilities.

Over 200 employers and their administrative assistants were on hand at the St. Thomas More function hall for a special luncheon in honor of Administrative Professionals Day.

Cheerleaders and dance squad members from Eunice High and St. Edmund served the food, prepared by Margo’s Catering.

Rotarian Jacque Pucheu, also Ouellette’s employer, said that the Rotary Club received more nominations this year than in years past.

Pucheu doesn’t vote in the award-selectin process.

Reading from his nomination letter, Pucheu said, “Her friendly approach to helping clients with their concerns and needs, her knowledge and skill in getting out work quickly as a quality product, her willingness to learn and her determination to accomplish whatever task needs to be done, her loyalty to my firm and our clients, have allowed me and the other attorneys in our firm to look and be better prepared and able to act as counsellors and advisors to our clients.”

Pucheu added that Ouellette is not afraid to go above and beyond the call of duty, or her job description, in the office.

“She is the first to organize the work, put on her work gloves and make sure the dirty work gets done and then with a mop or a broom, cleans up the residue,” Pucheu said.

“While she does work for my firm, she truly does work with me, making me a better lawyer and a better boss.”

Ouellette said, “Everyone at my firm is great; it’s easy to do a good job when you work for wonderful, honest, law-abiding abiding people.”

The award comes with a five-day vacation to one of four destinations, donated by KEUN, a bottle of champagne donated by the Old Liquor Store, and $500 spending money from the Eunice Rotary Club.

Surprised by the additional prizes, Ouellette said she has not yet decided where she will go on her free vacation.

For all those who didn’t receive the award, door prizes donated by several local businesses were raffled out afterwards.