March 12, 2025
Courtney Zwicker

With 50 years in the business, car dealer Frank Howard is still pushing the limit of his Capital Auto Group, earning him the recognition of Junior Achievement of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Business Hall of Fame.

The Capital Auto CEO and founder will be inducted at a gala next month alongside CEO John Williams of Nutra Holdings, former Fortis Inc. CEO Barry Perry, and Dorman Roberts Ltd. president Ruth Roberts-Tetford.

Howard, who started with a single dealership, now leads more than 460 employees across 13 automotive brands.

Capital Auto Group recently purchased Cabot Ford Lincoln, relaunching as Capital Ford Lincoln (see 2025-01-23).

“I’m honoured. To be selected for the JA Hall of Fame is humbling for me personally and a reflection of the impact our team has made in business and in our community. When I look at the list of previous recipients, I’m certainly in good company,” Howard said in an email.

Sports nutrition CEO Williams said he idolizes the Hall of Famers and was surprised to learn he’s joining their ranks.

The 33-year-old will become the youngest inductee in the history of the Hall of Fame, which started in 1990.

“It’s the honour of a lifetime. I’ve read the stories and biographies of so many people on that list, so to be amongst them now is surreal,” he said in an interview.

Williams founded Jacked Factory in 2015 with the goal of creating high-quality supplements, and it quickly became a major player in North America.

In 2020, Williams expanded by acquiring Transparent Labs, an e-commerce all-natural sports nutrition brand, which became the foundation of Nutra Holdings. Today, Nutra Holdings operates four brands.

Williams confirmed this week Nutra intends to occupy a yet-to-be-built 12,000-square-foot building, more than double the size of its current office in the commercial condo complex Aberdeen Square (see 2025-03-10).

As the former CEO, Perry led Fortis through a period of significant expansion, including the US$11-billion acquisition of ITC Holdings Corp., and landing Fortis on the New York Stock Exchange.

Perry began his career in utilities in 2000, joining Newfoundland Power as VP of finance and CFO. In 2004, he was appointed VP of finance and CFO of Fortis, and in 2014, he became CEO. He retired in 2020.

Perry continues to influence Canadian business on the boards of CPP Investments, Capital Power, and the Royal Bank of Canada.

“I’m extremely honoured to be included in such an amazing group of people,” said Perry in an interview.

Roberts-Tetford of Triton has dedicated more than 50 years to her business, assuming the role of president in 1988 following the death of her husband Dorman Roberts.

The firm has consisted of an array of companies, including a construction outfit, a grocery and hardware store, and provincial busing company DRL, which has stayed in the family via current owner Jason Roberts.

The company has been a lobster harvester for many years and operates a secondary processing plant bottling mussels.

Under Roberts-Tetford’s leadership, the company has built 20 seniors’ cottages in the Triton area, helping those who need affordable housing.

The first venture of the Roberts family began in 1922 when Dorman’s father opened his general store.

The Business Hall of Fame is Junior Achievement’s signature fundraiser, supporting work that focuses on teaching young people about financial health, workforce learning, and entrepreneurship.

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