The contributions of the late Sir Albert Miller crossed many spheres of private and public life. For more than 33 years he served as a director, president, chairman and chairman emeritus of FOCOL Holdings Limited (FOCOL). Under his leadership many milestones were achieved; most notably, his stewardship in preparing the company for public listing on the Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) - a listing that attracted 1600 Bahamian investors. Additionally, he led the acquisition of Shell International's assets in The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands, firmly establishing FOCOL as the largest petroleum company in those jurisdictions.
President and CEO of FOCOL Holdings Anthony Robinson recalls the advice that Sir Albert gave FOCOL's management team: "When a group of well-intentioned people get together, they can achieve great things." Inspired by this philosophy, Sir Albert partnered with a group of farsighted, much younger, Bahamian entrepreneurs. These partners credit him with bringing his considerable business clout and experience to enhance the relationship, which helped them to convert a dream many thought impossible into FOCOL, a company owned and managed by Bahamians, employing a skilled and diverse team of 420 persons.
Franklyn Wilson, CMG, chairman of FOCOL commented: "Sir Albert not only preached cooperation among Bahamians of different backgrounds and talents, he lived it. Because of this, he made possible for Bahamians what many termed impossible. No one thought that equitable participation in the oil industry at the ownership level was possible for Bahamians."
The FOCOL chairman continued, "Fundamentally, Sir Albert had a rare and exceptional degree of certain qualities, which I think are important to success. For example, Sir Albert Miller was a disciplined person and, by discipline, he was prepared to defer gratification. A lot of people who are not disciplined, they want to have it now. Sir Albert was not like that. He had that discipline and no doubt a lot of that came from his military training. "The second thing that made Sir Albert special was that he listened. There was literally a generation between he and I, and he listened.
Thirdly, he was rational in his decision-making. It was not a question of reacting in anger or emotion. He and I also served together on the finance committee of the Anglican diocese under Bishop Michael Eldon. This experience allowed me to witness first hand his altruism and generosity. When you add all these things together I think you get a glimpse of the man and why he has become so iconic." Anthony Robinson expressed similar sentiments about Sir Albert's generosity, respect for others and willingness to contribute to the progress of his younger colleagues.
"When I reflect on Sir Albert Miller, I value his guidance which has played a pivotal role in my development, having served under his leadership for 23 years as general manager and later president. We spent a tremendous amount of time together. He was instrumental in directing me and my development over the years. Sir Albert was a very special person," Robinson said.
Clinton Rolle, deputy general manager, Sun Oil Limited, summed up FOCOL's great regard for its patriarch, who contributed so much to the company. "His leadership and business acumen well into his eighties were most impressive. We should all be so lucky to enjoy a life as full and as purposeful as he did. May he rest in peace."
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