Progressive Conservative Party leader Danny Williams, a.k.a "Danny Millions," has ended nearly 15 years of Liberal rule in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Bottom line is Roger Grimes, the Premier, was never voted in by an electorate here," explains CTV's John Vennavally-Rao. "He came in after Brian Tobin left (in 2001). He was voted in at a Liberal convention by a narrow victory."

Vennavally-Rao said that after 15 years of authority, voters are "looking for something a little bit different."

How different is Danny Williams?

Unlike former Newfoundland premiers Joey Smallwood, Brian Tobin and Brian Peckford, the 54-year-old St. John's entrepreneur is not a career politician. He's a wealthy businessman and lawyer who entered politics late in life.

A native of St. John's, Williams is the eldest of four children to Thomas and Teresita (Galway) Williams. Married with four children and two grandchildren, his family has supported the Tories since Confederation.

Williams' mother was a member of the PC Women's Association for 30 years and supported Prime Minister John Diefenbaker. And in his youth he handed out brochures and put up signs in support of the Tory political campaign.

At Memorial University of Newfoundland, Williams studied political science and economics. He was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1969 and received a degree in Arts in Law from England's Oxford University. He later acquired a Bachelor of Law from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Williams has worked as a lawyer in Newfoundland and Labrador since 1972. His firm represented many of the abused altar boys and orphans who sued the Roman Catholic Church, the Christian Brothers and the province of Newfoundland.

Williams was also the principal owner of the province's largest cable company, until he sold out to Rogers Communications Inc. for several hundred million dollars.

"His nickname is Danny Millions, because he made a lot of money off of the cable industry," said Vennavally-Rao.

More recently, Williams has invested in golf courses and resorts and is currently the President of OIS Fisher, an oil and gas company.

He has also served as the Chairman of the Canadian Parliamentary Channel (CPAC), the Newfoundland and Labrador Film Development Corporation and the Provincial Government Offshore Oil Impact Advisory Council.

In 2000, Williams announced his decision to run for leadership of the Newfoundland and Labrador PC Party. He was sworn in as leader in April 2001. In June he was elected as a Member of the House of Assembly for Humber West District in a provincial byelection.

In his inaugural address as Opposition leader, Williams told his supporters: "They've run out of ideas, they've run out of gas and, with your help, we'll run them out of office."

Williams has promised to balance the provincial budget by 2008, eliminate inefficient programs and cut the public sector over the next five years.