Pillar49 Capital was founded by three friends and former colleagues - Corey, Justin & Pete

Pete is a Partner and Co-Founder at Pillar49. His passion for owner-operated small businesses began at a young age working in the warehouse at his family’s eyewear distribution business.

Prior to Pillar49, Pete was a Principal at Onex Partners, a Toronto-based investment firm where he was responsible for evaluating investments in the industrials, home services and software sectors.

While at Onex, Pete was involved in the acquisitions of PowerSchool, a leading K-12 education software platform, its strategic add-on acquisition of Schoology, and Fidelity Building Services Group, a service provider of commercial HVAC, building automation and controls. Pete also led the day-to day oversight for WireCo WorldGroup, a global manufacturer of steel and synthetic wire rope where he worked closely with the management team to drive key commercial, operational and working capital initiatives.

Prior to Onex, Pete worked at RBC Capital Markets in the Mergers & Acquisitions group and at Deloitte in the audit and transaction advisory groups. Pete holds the CFA and CPA designations as well as a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Toronto.

Justin is a Co-Founder and Partner at Pillar49. He has been passionate about the opportunity to grow enduring businesses for many years, with multiple family members building and operating small businesses in Canada.

Prior to Pillar49, Justin was a Senior Associate at Onex Partners, a global private equity firm, where he was responsible for evaluating, investing and growing businesses. During his time, he evaluated opportunities within industrial, technology, healthcare and A&D.

While at Onex, Justin was actively involved with multiple portfolio companies, which included the evaluation of strategic initiatives, add-on acquisitions and competitor analysis. Justin's portfolio companies included (i) Jeld-Wen, the largest global door and window manufacturer, (ii) Celestica, a leading provider of electronic manufacturing services, and (iii) WestJet Airlines, Canada's second largest airline.

Justin began his career in investment banking at RBC Capital Markets in the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) group, advising on M&A transactions as well as equity and debt financings. Justin holds an Honours BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and the CFA designation.

Corey is a co-founder and Partner at Pillar49. Originally from Barrie, Ontario, Corey grew up working for his dad's small athletic therapy business, crunching invoices on Quickbooks in elementary school.

Prior to Pillar49, Corey was a Principal at the investment firm Onex Partners, helping evaluate, invest in and grow businesses. Most recently, Corey worked on investment in WestJet Airlines, Canada’s second largest airline, as well as the management of the business through COVID-19, supplier and union negotiations; and fleet strategy and financing. Corey also led the launch of WestJet’s freighter airline in 2020, and interim lead the cargo organization, including the sourcing of freighters, winning customers and creating and executing a joint venture with an anchor customer.

Corey also helped support Onex’s investment of two previously founder-owned investments, Jack’s Family Restaurants, an Alabama-based QSR restaurant, and AIT, a Texas-based aerospace automation engineering firm, including managing the sale of Jack’s which resulted in 3.6x MOIC and 38% gross IRR.

Corey began his career in investment banking at Goldman Sachs in Los Angeles, advising on M&A deals across media, consumer retail and healthcare, and is a graduate of the Richard Ivey School of Business (HBA) and Western University in Economics.