PJ is a proud Hamiltonian and passionate family man who serves as the CEO of Carmens Group, one of Southern Ontario’s most dynamic hospitality, entertainment, food-service and development companies. The company’s impressive portfolio includes award-winning venues The Good Earth Food and Wine Co, Arlington Hotel, Carmens Event Centre, C Hotel, Lakeview, River’s Edge, Baci Ristorante, fig&lemon, Hamilton Convention Centre, as well as Mercanti Specialty Foods, the manufacturer of Mama Yolanda’s Lasagna. Carmens Group is also a lead partner in the the Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group, the private consortium who led the revitalization of TD Coliseum and FirstOntario Concert Hall in Downtown Hamilton’s entertainment district, with PJ serving as the consortium President.
An engaged community leader, PJ is a partner in the Hamilton Cardinals of the Canadian Baseball League (CBL), serves as chair of the YMCA Y Saves Lives campaign, sits on the boards of Charity of Hope and St Joseph’s Healthcare Foundation, and served as St. Joe’s 2026 “Around the Bay” Road Race Community Champion, running the full 30 km route. PJ spearheaded the fundraising effort for the Hamilton Sign, and is a founding member and past Chair of the Hamilton Tourism Development Investment Group, a local hospitality entity that worked with Tourism Hamilton to secure major events including the 2026 JUNOS Music Awards, 2024 Canadian Open Golf Event, the 2023 CFL Grey Cup Festival, and 2022 NHL Heritage Classic.
National media outlets including Maclean’s, ET Canada, and Hello Canada Magazine have profiled events that PJ has produced through Carmens Group’s “An Evening With” celebrity series featuring prolific personalities that have included Al Pacino, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Douglas, Olivia Newton-John, Margaret Atwood, Tony Bennett and Wayne Gretzky, among others. Coupled with his work as a past chair and committee member of the Charity of Hope Gala for over 15 years, these events have collectively raised over $3 Million for local charitable organizations.
A cum laude business graduate from the University of Notre Dame, PJ started his career as an associate producer for “The Season: Notre Dame Football”, an ESPN show produced by Intersport Productions. He was recognized as CEO of the Year by the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce in 2023, as one of Canada’s Top 45 Entrepreneurs by The Globe and Mail in 2016, and has received recognitions from many community organizations. Carmen’s Group is a 4-time Great Place to Work national award winner, and The Good Earth winery restaurant has been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 restaurants by OpenTable in its past 5 national rankings.
His love for entertainment and nostalgia is displayed through his enjoyment of classic rock, oldies music, and all things Route 66 & Walt Disney, while his love of sport is seen through his passion for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Hamilton Tiger-Cats & Hamilton Cardinals. His ultimate love is his family – his lovely wife Diana and energetic children Matthew, Gloria and Michael – and he is often seen walking through Hamilton with his four loves.