# Bernard Cammarata

> Bernard (Ben) Cammarata founded T.J. Maxx in 1976 after being recruited from Marshalls by Zayre. He led the business through the formation of TJX, international expansion and the acquisition of Marshalls, served a second period as acting CEO from 2005 to 2007, and retired as chairman in 2015 while remaining founder and executive advisor. His career also includes Bentley University governance and baseball ownership.

- **Role:** Founder and Executive Advisor at The TJX Companies, Inc.
- **Organizations:** The TJX Companies, Inc., T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, The Marmaxx Group, Zayre Corp., J.W. Mays, Wilmington Dry Goods, Bentley University, Boston Red Sox (part owner, 2002-2007), Pawtucket Red Sox (member of 2015 purchasing group)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Honorary Doctor of Commercial Science, Bentley College (now Bentley University)
- **Known for:** Founded T.J. Maxx and led its development from its first stores., Led TJX through expansion into Canada, home furnishings and the United Kingdom, and the 1995 acquisition of Marshalls., Served as TJX chairman from 1999 to 2015 and twice led the company as CEO.

## Career timeline

- **1962-1967** — Worked as a merchandise manager at J.W. Mays in New York.
- **1967-1970** — Worked as a merchandise manager at Wilmington Dry Goods in Delaware.
- **1976** — Recruited from his general merchandise manager role at Marshalls by Zayre to build T.J. Maxx.
- **1977** — First T.J. Maxx stores opened in Auburn and Worcester, Massachusetts.
- **1987** — Became president and CEO of the newly formed TJX subsidiary.
- **1989** — Became president and CEO of the successor TJX company after Zayre reorganization.
- **1990** — TJX acquired Winners in Canada during his leadership.
- **1992** — TJX launched HomeGoods during his leadership.
- **1994** — TJX launched TK Maxx in the United Kingdom during his leadership.
- **1995** — TJX acquired Marshalls; Cammarata chaired The Marmaxx Group from 1995 to 2000.
- **1999** — Became chairman of TJX.
- **2000** — Ended his first tenure as CEO.
- **2002-2007** — Part owner of the Boston Red Sox.
- **2005-2007** — Returned as acting CEO from September 2005 to January 2007.
- **2015** — Joined the ownership group purchasing the Pawtucket Red Sox; retired from the TJX board on June 11 and remained founder and executive advisor.

## Achievements

- Founded T.J. Maxx and led its development from its first stores.
- Led TJX through expansion into Canada, home furnishings and the United Kingdom, and the 1995 acquisition of Marshalls.
- Served as TJX chairman from 1999 to 2015 and twice led the company as CEO.
- Made a pledge to hire 5,000 welfare recipients; 1999 congressional testimony reported more than 9,700 hires of people previously receiving public assistance in over two years.
- Recognized by Bentley with an honorary degree; listed as a trustee emeritus.

## Latest updates

- **2026-02** — TJX reported $60.4 billion in fiscal 2026 net sales for the year ended January 31, 2026. This is company context rather than a new personal announcement by Cammarata.
- **2024-10** — Worcester Business Journal featured Cammarata and an archival portrait in its 35th-anniversary retrospective on regional businesses.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/bernard-cammarata
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21